A powerful explosion occurred on Friday morning around 10:30 in the Port of Constanța.
The explosion, heard and seen by locals, happened after a marine drone was found in the area of Dana 78.
The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) officially announced that the drone self-detonated without causing any casualties.
"The area was already secured and isolated by forces from the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Coast Guard, and the Ministry of National Defense, as the object was being evaluated and secured at that time," emphasized the quoted source.
However, the Red Intervention Plan was activated, and 4 ambulances intervened at the scene of the incident.
An emergency alert (Ro-Alert) was issued for the local population, but only at 11:22, nearly an hour after the explosion:
The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) further specifies that the maritime drone is of the type used in the war in Ukraine. Its origin is not yet clear.
"We clarify that the object is not part of the equipment of the Romanian Army and was not involved in the recent exercises organized by MApN in the Black Sea region," added the ministry.
Local media previously reported that the object was observed in the morning near pollution protection systems in the port and had the shape of a green-colored boat equipped with antennas, possibly a drone.
The drone was about 7-8 meters long.
The device was discovered near the headquarters of ARSVOM (Romanian Agency for Human Life Rescue at Sea) and the Oil Terminal, in the operating area near the shore.
The Border Police decided to close the North Pier in the Port of Constanța, and all institutions responsible for maritime security are involved in verifying the situation.
The case is being investigated by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Court of Appeal in Constanța.
The explosion in Constanța comes just two days after a marine mine was found on the beach between Vama Veche and 2 Mai. The device, identified by the Romanian Naval Forces as a YaRM type mine, was neutralized by military divers after securing the area.