Search for Missing Crew Underway After Attacks on Black Sea Ships

News Desk

SOFIA: Bulgarian authorities are conducting a search for the missing crew of a ship that sank in the Black Sea following drone strikes on two vessels, an incident condemned by EU leaders as an “unacceptable” attack.

The dual drone assault occurred early Tuesday, just a day after another ship caught fire and sank off the Romanian coast, resulting in one death and another person missing. Ukraine has attributed the drone attacks to Russia, further escalating tensions in the region.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that both sea and air drones targeted the merchant vessels, although he noted it was premature to ascertain the origin of the drones.

A nearby Bulgarian ferry that witnessed the explosions found overturned life rafts and life jackets in the vicinity of the sunken ship, intensifying concerns over maritime safety.

No crew members from the sunken ship have been located, with Radev stating that the number of missing individuals remains unspecified. However, 18 crew members, comprising 11 Turkish and seven Indian nationals, were successfully rescued from the other affected vessel.

The attack, occurring within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, raises significant alarms regarding the security of maritime operations in the Black Sea, a crucial shipping route.

In light of these developments, authorities are expected to ramp up investigations into the drone strikes and enhance security measures for shipping in the region.

The incident underscores the growing fallout from the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has increasingly impacted maritime activities and international relations.