Drones struck two merchant ships in Bulgaria’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea, sinking one vessel and triggering a major rescue operation off the Bulgarian coast.
The attack occurred east of Cape St. Atanas and the town of Byala, around 80 miles offshore. Bulgarian media described it as the first reported drone attack on ships within Bulgaria’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The attack targeted the Togo-flagged cargo ship ALFA WATAN and the Palau-flagged cargo ship ABLE.
Bulgaria Black Sea Drone Attack Leaves Two Dead
The ALFA WATAN suffered severe structural damage and later sank east of the Bulgarian coast.
Initially, authorities provided little information about the crew. However, Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs later reported two deaths and said rescuers had saved 11 people.
Meanwhile, a drone strike set the ABLE on fire. As a result, all 18 crew members abandoned the vessel.
The Bulgarian-flagged ferry DIOSCURIA then rescued the 18 sailors after authorities diverted it to the scene.
Some crew members suffered injuries and received first aid aboard the ferry. Rescue teams then coordinated their transfer to medical facilities on shore.
Romania also joined the emergency operation. Romanian Coast Guard vessels and a helicopter from the General Inspectorate of Aviation assisted search-and-rescue teams in the area.
Neither merchant ship was sailing under the Bulgarian flag. One operated under the flag of Togo, while the other sailed under the flag of Palau, according to Bulgarian National Radio.
Authorities Investigate Bulgaria Black Sea Drone Attack
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of the Bulgaria Black Sea drone attack. They have not yet identified who operated the drones or who was responsible for the strikes.
Bulgarian maritime media reported that the attacks appeared coordinated and targeted commercial vessels in the area. However, officials have not publicly confirmed responsibility for the incident.
Following the attack, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev called a meeting with representatives of key state institutions.
Officials from the defense, interior, transport and environment ministries were expected to attend. Representatives of the president’s office and Bulgaria’s security services were also expected to participate.
Radev planned to address the media at the start of the meeting. Meanwhile, authorities continued to assess the incident and coordinate the emergency response in the Black Sea.
