Naval drone explodes in Romanian port of Constanța, triggering highest emergency alert and evacuation
A naval drone of the type used in the Ukraine war self-destructed near an oil terminal in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanța on Friday, prompting an evacuation and the highest-level emergency response.
The explosion
A naval drone exploded on Friday, 5 June, around 10:30 a.m. local time near an oil terminal in the Romanian port of Constanța on the Black Sea coast. The Romanian Ministry of Defence said the drone was not part of the country’s army equipment and had not been involved in recent military exercises. Officials confirmed no casualties or material losses. The drone belonged to the same type used in the war in Ukraine.
Evacuation and Red Alert
Authorities immediately declared the Red Intervention Plan, the highest emergency procedure in Romania. Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat said the port was evacuated and coastal residents were told to seek shelter. Two helicopters searched the area for additional unmanned vessels.
We now know there is a risk of self-detonation, so we began an evacuation in case more drones appear. We are not panicking; these measures are purely preventive.
Discovery of three more drones
Search operations led to the discovery of three more naval drones, according to Reuters citing local outlet Digi24. The area was secured by Romanian intelligence, the coastguard and defence forces. The prosecutor’s office at the Constanța Court of Appeal has opened an investigation.
Second serious incident in a week
The blast comes seven days after a Russian drone breached Romanian airspace and crashed into an apartment building in the city of Galați on 29 May, causing a fire and lightly injuring two people. The Romanian defence ministry has recorded 28 airspace violations by Russian drones since Moscow began targeting Ukrainian ports on the Danube.
- Russian drone breaches airspace, crashes into apartment building in Galați; two injured.
- Naval drone spotted near the Romanian Maritime Rescue Agency in Constanța.
- Drone self-destructs near oil terminal; Red Intervention Plan activated, port evacuated.
- Three additional naval drones found during search operations.
Political reaction
President Nicusor Dan said he was informed of the explosion while travelling to Montenegro. He stressed the priority was protecting human life and port infrastructure and noted it was the second serious security incident on the coast within a week.
The law enforcement and security services reacted immediately and evacuated the area before the explosion. So far there are no reports of fatalities. The priority was and remains the protection of human life and the security of port infrastructure.
The Polish embassy in Romania advised its citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services.
