Sea mine reported off Black Sea coast, 70km across from Capu Midia

A military ship is moving to neutralise a sea mine that was detected in the morning off the Black Sea coast, about 70 kilometres across from Capu Midia, the Chief of Navy Staff (SMFN) reported on Monday.

Minesweeper the Viceamiral Constantin Balescu, with a crew of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and mine clearance divers on board, is conducting on March 28 a search and intervention mission in a maritime district located about 39 nautical miles (70-72 kilometres), off the Black Sea coast, across from Capu Midia, where a drifting sea mine was reported.

"The mine was reported this morning by the Romanian fishing boat Olimpus 1, whose commander informed the Romanian authorities via the official channels, around 08:10hrs. After receiving the notification, the Chief of Navy Staff ordered the execution of a research and intervention mission in the maritime district where the mine was reported. The military ship left Constanta military port at 08:20hrs and, after arriving in the district, will act to neutralise the mine."

The Navy said the minesweeper will reach the area where the mine was reported at around noon.