Indian mariners missing after drone scare off Sulina, search underway
Two Indian crew members of the cargo ship AGN Ragnar (flying the Palau flag) are reported missing after they jumped into the Black Sea near Sulina, fearing that the vessel could be hit by a drone. The ship was en route from Odesa, Ukraine, to the Romanian port of Galaţi.
Romanian authorities deployed the rescue vessel SAR Apollo of the Romanian Maritime Rescue Service together with a Border Police boat to search the area. The operation is coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Romanian Naval Authority and continues while weather and visibility permit.
Two other Indian crew members on the same vessel have been confirmed safe. The incident follows a recent Romanian Air Force F‑16 interception and downing of a suspect drone near Sulina, the third such event in 48 hours. India’s embassy in Ukraine has said it is monitoring the situation and is in contact with Romanian officials.
Entities: Cargo ship AGN Ragnar · Indian crew members · Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of Romania · Romanian Air Force F‑16 · SAR Apollo rescue vessel
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The vessel involved is the cargo ship AGN Ragnar (also referred to as MG AGN Ragnar) flying the flag of Palau. (multiple)
- [● 8 SOURCES] India’s embassy in Ukraine is monitoring the situation and is in contact with Romanian authorities. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The incident follows a Romanian F‑16 downing of a suspected drone near Sulina, the third such event in 48 hours. (multiple)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The ship was en route from Odesa, Ukraine, to the port of Galaţi, Romania. (multiple)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Two Indian crew members are missing after jumping into the Black Sea fearing a drone attack. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Romanian SAR Apollo and a Border Police boat were dispatched to search for the missing crew near Sulina. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The search operation is coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Romanian Naval Authority. (multiple)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Two other Indian crew members on the same vessel have been confirmed safe. (multiple)