A Liberian-flagged vessel named Gas Lisbon experienced a fire while traveling across the Black Sea toward a Ukrainian port, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to two others. The incident occurred late Monday approximately 20 nautical miles off Romania’s coast, according to Romanian President Nicusor Dan.
Romanian authorities responded by evacuating the entire 17-member crew from the vessel. Three sailors sustained injuries in the incident, with two suffering burns covering approximately 10-15% of their bodies and a third experiencing multiple wounds. A 45-year-old Philippine national among the injured was pronounced dead on Thursday at Tulcea County Hospital. Medical personnel attributed the fatality to airway burns and associated pulmonary complications. The other two injured sailors, also Philippine nationals, remained hospitalized in stable condition receiving intensive care treatment.
The vessel had departed from Alexandria in Egypt and was headed to the Ukrainian port of Reni on the Danube River while carrying over 3,790 tons of liquefied petroleum gas. The incident caused significant damage to the ship’s superstructure and triggered a major fire, though no official determination of the cause has been provided. Romanian authorities stated they would investigate to clarify the circumstances, causes, and responsibilities involved.
Some crew members told media outlets they believed the vessel had been struck by multiple drones, introducing the possibility of a connection to the broader conflict. The Black Sea region has experienced multiple drone incidents involving both Russian and Ukrainian forces affecting Romania and other NATO member states since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
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