An accident occurred on the Danube River near the Romanian town of Zimnicea, where a barge transporting more than one thousand tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers sank, ProAgro Group reports.

According to official data, the vessel was carrying 1,133 tonnes of fertilizers. Authorities are currently assessing the potential environmental risks in the area. Zimnicea is located close to the Bulgarian city of Svishtov, which raises concerns about possible cross-border environmental impacts. Representatives of Romania’s water administration have already taken water samples to determine the scale of pollution, as the release of such a large volume of fertilizers could significantly alter water composition and pose a threat to fish and other aquatic organisms.

The mayor of Zimnicea stated that navigation on the Danube has not been disrupted, but environmental risks remain a serious concern. Authorities have contacted the Romanian company that owns the barge to clarify the circumstances of the accident and explore options for mitigating the consequences.

Environmental experts warn that high concentrations of nitrogen fertilizers can cause water “blooming,” oxygen depletion, and mass fish mortality, making rapid response and continuous monitoring critically important.

Earlier reports indicated that Ukraine’s fertilizer market could face shortages in early 2026.