Human remains found on WINE TRADER tanker after drone attack; DNA tests underway for seven missing sailors.
Human remains have been found on the WINE TRADER tanker, which was attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles off the coast of Romania. DNA tests have been initiated on the ship, which has been taken to the Port of Varna, Bulgaria, to determine the fate of seven missing sailors.
A new development has emerged regarding the casualties resulting from drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. During investigations conducted in Varna, Bulgaria, human remains were discovered on the San Marino-flagged WINE TRADER tanker, which was attacked on October 15, 2026, off the coast of Romania.
According to a report by The Maritime Executive dated November 9, the Varna Regional Prosecutor's Office confirmed that heavily damaged human remains were found during the cleanup of the damaged sections of the vessel. DNA examinations have been initiated to identify the deceased.
Five sailors were rescued, while seven sailors went missing.
The WINE TRADER, with a deadweight tonnage of 6,259 DWT, was targeted by three unmanned aerial vehicles while anchored approximately 13 nautical miles off the Port of Sulina, Romania, on the morning of October 15.
Following the attack, a fire broke out in the living quarters of the ship, and in the rescue operation initiated by Romanian authorities, five of the twelve crew members were rescued, while seven sailors were reported missing.
Search efforts on the heavily damaged tanker failed to locate the missing crew, and adverse weather conditions further complicated the operations.
The ship was towed to Varna for repairs.
The WINE TRADER, which suffered severe fire damage after the attack, was towed to a shipyard in Varna, Bulgaria, for repairs at the beginning of November.
During the debris cleanup at the shipyard, human remains were found in the damaged sections of the vessel.
While there are varying reports in the Bulgarian press suggesting that the remains may belong to five or six of the missing sailors, the Varna Regional Prosecutor's Office did not provide a definitive number.
Authorities have stated that the identities of the deceased will only be confirmed once the DNA examinations are completed.
At least nine commercial vessels have been targeted in the Black Sea.
The attack on the WINE TRADER is considered part of a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the western Black Sea in recent weeks.
According to information reported by The Maritime Executive, at least nine commercial vessels have been attacked off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania over the past weeks. It has been reported that at least 34 sailors have either lost their lives or gone missing in these incidents.
There are assessments suggesting that the attacks were carried out by Russia, while Bulgarian and Romanian authorities continue to cooperate in investigating the events in the region.
NATO is increasing its surveillance in the Black Sea.
Following the attacks on commercial vessels, NATO's maritime security activities in the region have intensified.
France has decided to extend the deployment of its maritime patrol aircraft stationed in Romania for a few more weeks.
This aircraft was involved in detecting the attack on the CONTSHIP JET container ship on October 28. However, the ship, from which 18 crew members were rescued, sank after the attack.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey continue to call for the establishment of a safe maritime transport corridor for commercial vessels in the western Black Sea.
The safety of sailors is back on the agenda.
The attacks in the Black Sea have raised concerns regarding crew safety and the protection of commercial vessels in international maritime transport.
Particularly, the attacks on the anchorage areas around Sulina, used for transportation via the Danube River, have reopened discussions on the safe navigation and waiting conditions for commercial vessels in the region.
As the results of forensic examinations regarding the human remains found on the WINE TRADER are awaited, the incident remains significant for both the maritime sector and the families of the missing sailors.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
