The German cargo ship "EMIL" was reportedly repeatedly targeted by Russian drones in the Black Sea. A fire broke out on board, leaving it unable to manoeuvre. All 11 crew members are said to be unharmed.
A Russian drone attack reportedly targeted the German cargo ship "EMIL" on Wednesday, as reported by the Germany daily newspaper Bild. The freighter is said to have been hit several times by drones. A fire is then reported to have broken out and several technical systems failed, leaving the vessel unable to manoeuvre.
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While crew members were being brought to safety, the freighter was reportedly attacked again. There were said to be 11 people on board, none of them German nationals. No injuries have been reported.
The "EMIL" is reported to have been hit in the Black Sea, around 21 nautical miles from the Ukrainian port city of Odessa. The ship currently sails under the flag of Liberia. It is owned by the German shipping company Johann M. K. Blumenthal GmbH & Co. KG, based in Hamburg-Altona.
Russia's defence ministry has confirmed the attacks on its Telegram account. It said that attack drones struck two cargo ships last night in the Black Sea, south and east of Odessa, which, according to Russian claims, were transporting military goods.
The second vessel is said to be the grain carrier "Mera Queen," which sails under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, Bildreported. One crew member was reportedly killed in that attack.
This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.