Bulgaria Says One Crew is Missing and Second Rescued After Drone Attack
Romanian officials are denouncing the attack on two small cargo ships in the Black Sea while reporting that the crew of one vessel is missing. The reports said the two ships were attacked overnight, with 18 seafarers rescued and a search and rescue operation continuing.
Romania’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened a special meeting of the government, and he called the attacks “absolutely unacceptable” and a “gross violation of international law.” He declined to officially state who had attacked the ships, but reports are widely attributing the strikes to Russia, a charge repeated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a posting on social media.
“If this war is not ended in time, it will continue to expand its spatial scope and increase the risk of even a global conflict,” said Radev. He pointed out that Bulgaria does not border Ukraine or Russia and lies at a critical point in the Black Sea, more than 140 nautical miles from Ukraine.
According to the reports, the Bulgarian ferry Dioscuria was in the area approximately 70 nautical miles east of Byala in the eastern part of Bulgaria when the attacks took place. Bulgarian officials said the strikes were attacks by air and sea drones.
The ferry’s crew saw an explosion and headed to the area, which officials emphasized was in Bulgaria’s EEZ. The Navy, Air Force, and Border Police also responded.
The ferry crew reported seeing an overturned lifeboat, three rafts, and life jackets in the water but was unable to locate any crewmembers. The ship, which is being identified as the Turkish-owned Alfa Watan (3,160 dwt), is believed to have sunk. Built in 1976, it is registered in Togo. The ship was sailing from Egypt and bound for Sulina, Romania, according to its AIS transmission.
The Bulgarian forces also responded to a second vessel that was on fire and aided in the rescue of 18 crewmembers from Turkey and India. Two were reported to be severely injured and were transported by the Bulgarian Navy to Varna for medical treatment. The 16 other crewmembers were transported to shore by a border patrol boat.
The second vessel is identified as the Turkish-owned Able. Built in 1991, the ship is registered in Palau and reportedly had a cargo of wheat heading for Italy.
Bulgarian officials reported they are continuing to search for the crew from the first ship. They did not comment on the number of missing individuals.
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The reports said it was the first attack in Bulgarian waters, and it was quick to draw international commendation. Hungary’s Prime Minister posted on social media that they would stand with Bulgaria.
President of the European Union Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, posted a message calling the situation in the Black Sea “increasingly concerning.” She pointed out today’s two attacks follow the one on Monday off Romania. She said, “Attacks on civilian shipping are unacceptable. We stand in full solidarity with our Member States on the Eastern flank.”
