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Cargo ship sinks and crew missing after Black Sea drone attack in Bulgarian waters
Overview
A civilian cargo ship flying under the flag of Togo has sunk and its crew is missing following a drone attack in the Black Sea within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. A second grain-carrying vessel, flying the flag of Palau, was also hit in the attacks, though its 18 crew members were successfully rescued by Bulgarian sailors, with two receiving treatment for injuries. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the strikes as a flagrant violation of maritime law, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called attacks on civilian shipping unacceptable.
Key points
- A civilian cargo ship, the Turkish-owned Alfa Watan flying under the flag of Togo, has sunk and its crew is missing after a drone attack.
- A second vessel carrying grain, the Able flying under the flag of Palau, was also hit within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone.
- All 18 crew members of the second vessel were rescued, including two injured in a fire on board.
- The air and sea drone attacks occurred about 70 miles off the coastal town of Byala in eastern Bulgaria.
- Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the strikes as a flagrant violation of maritime law but did not explicitly attribute responsibility for the attacks.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attacks on commercial ships and innocent crews as unacceptable.