Varna prosecutors discovered human remains on a vessel struck by a drone off the coast of Romania

Human remains were discovered aboard a San Marino-flagged vessel that was struck by a drone approximately two weeks ago off the coast of Romania and subsequently transferred to the port of Varna, Bulgaria, for repairs. The discovery was made on Saturday during cleaning operations aboard the vessel.

Varna prosecutors said the remains are “severely damaged” and that DNA tests have been ordered to identify the victims. Their condition does not currently allow the number of people who died to be determined with certainty. A source within Bulgaria’s law enforcement agencies estimates that there may have been six victims.

The prosecutors’ statement did not mention the vessel’s name, but the details point to the tanker Wine Trader, which was struck on October 15, approximately 24 kilometers southeast of Sulina, near the mouth of the Danube. Seven of the 12 crew members were reported missing, while five were rescued.

The vessel arrived in Varna at the beginning of November. The case is also being investigated by Romanian authorities. Since October, at least nine commercial vessels have been struck by drones off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, in incidents that have left 34 people dead or missing.