Ship sinks and crew missing after Black Sea drone attack
Bulgarian officials say drones attacked two civilian ships in the Black Sea early in the morning. One vessel, the Alfa Watan, sank, and its crew is unaccounted for.
The attack happened about 70 miles from Byala, off Bulgaria’s eastern coast. Officials have not identified who was responsible or said what the sunken ship carried or how many people were aboard.
Bulgarian sailors rescued the Able’s crew. The ship, registered in Palau and carrying grain, had 11 Turkish and seven Indian nationals aboard; two were injured in a fire.
Bulgarian official Radev condemned the strikes as a breach of maritime law and warned that the war in Ukraine could bring wider risks. He did not blame a specific party.
The circumstances are still being established. The incident raises concerns about the safety of civilian shipping and crews in the Black Sea, as Russia continues strikes linked to its war against Ukraine.
Key points
- The Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack, and its crew is missing.
- All 18 people aboard the Able were rescued; two had injuries.
- Officials have not said who carried out the attacks; investigations are ongoing.