A civilian cargo ship sank in the Black Sea following a drone attack approximately 70 miles off the coast of Byala, Bulgaria, according to Bulgarian officials. The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. local time, involving both air and sea drones.
The Turkish-owned ship named Alfa Watan, flying the flag of Togo, was reportedly headed to Sulina, Romania, when it was attacked. Bulgarian authorities found only overturned boats, rafts, and life jackets at the scene, with the status of the crew currently unknown and a search operation underway.
Second Ship Struck and Crew Rescued
A second vessel named Able, which was carrying grain and flying the flag of Palau, was also hit within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. This ship’s 18 crew members, including 11 Turkish nationals and seven Indians, were rescued by Bulgarian sailors. Two crew members had been injured in a fire on board.
Reactions and Context
Bulgaria’s prime minister condemned the strikes as a blatant violation of maritime law but did not directly accuse any party of responsibility. The attacks came amid intensified Russian strikes in the Black Sea region as part of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Russian authorities have not commented on the incident.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as increasingly worrying, emphasizing that attacks on commercial ships and their crews are unacceptable. The attacks follow a broader pattern of maritime violence in the region, including a recent strike near Odesa that resulted in a crew member’s death.
Ongoing Conflict Risks
The Bulgarian prime minister warned that unchecked escalation in Ukraine’s war could increase geographic spread and heighten risks of wider conflict. The recent attacks underscore ongoing tensions and dangers faced by civilian shipping in the Black Sea amid the broader war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
