Fire extinguished aboard Yara J off Romania, crew safe

A fire broke out aboard the Comoros-flagged vessel Yara J in Romanian territorial waters on the evening of October 14. The blaze was extinguished and everyone aboard was safe, Romania’s coastguard said.

Romania’s maritime rescue agency said the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre requested assistance at 8:25 p.m. local time. Apollo departed for the designated area at 8:31 p.m.

According to Romanian public radio, crew members extinguished the fire. Defence Minister Radu Miruță said the vessel reported the fire by radio and later advised that it no longer needed assistance.

Miruță said authorities were examining whether a drone had struck the vessel. He noted that military radar had not detected a drone approaching this ship.

The minister said the rescue vessel returned after the fire was extinguished and the people and vessel were no longer in danger.