A drone struck a 10-storey residential building in the southeastern Romanian city of Galati early on Friday 29 May during a large-scale Russian attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. The ensuing explosion and fire injured at least two people and forced authorities to evacuate about 70 residents.
According to Romania’s emergency services, the drone crashed onto the roof of the apartment building and its entire explosive payload detonated. A fire broke out in a top-floor apartment and damaged other parts of the building.
A woman and her child were taken to hospital with minor injuries, while two other people were treated on site for panic attacks. Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat said two stairwells and at least five parked vehicles had been damaged.
First Strike on a Populated Area
The incident has drawn particular attention because it was the first confirmed case of a drone hitting a densely populated area in Romania and injuring civilians in connection with the war in Ukraine.
