Romanian authorities continue search and recovery operations after a tugboat sank near the Port of Midia. The incident occurred on 18 March while the tug Astana was assisting the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Amades during a docking maneuver at the Monbuoy terminal, about 8 km from the port.
The tug reportedly lost propulsion and capsized on its starboard side, sinking within minutes.
The vessel, built in 2006, had five crewmembers on board, all Romanian nationals. According to the latest updates, two have been confirmed dead, including the captain, who was resuscitated on-site but later pronounced dead.
One additional body was recovered by military divers at a depth of 26 meters, approximately 8.6 km from the port.
Three crewmembers remain missing, with search operations ongoing. The Romanian Naval Forces and specialized diver teams are involved, using sonar and underwater search equipment.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. Preliminary assessments include possible maneuvering errors or strong currents.
