Two Commercial Vessels Hit by Drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea Exclusive Economic Zone
Two commercial cargo ships were struck by maritime and aerial drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea around 3:00 AM, resulting in one vessel sinking and another catching fire.
Attacks on Commercial Vessels in Bulgarian Waters
The strikes occurred approximately 70 to 80 miles east of Byala and Cape Sveti Atanas, marking the first time commercial shipping has been targeted within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, according to reports. The vessels involved were the Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan and the Palau-flagged cargo ship Able. VesselFinder data indicated that the Alfa Watan had been heading toward the Romanian port of Sulina before suffering severe structural damage and sinking.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the incident an unacceptable violation of maritime law. The second targeted vessel, the Able, was struck and caught fire. Its 18 crew members—comprising 11 Turkish citizens and seven Indian citizens—were forced to abandon ship. The Bulgarian ro-ro ferry Dioscuria, which was operating nearby, redirected to the scene and rescued the crew members from the burning vessel, providing initial first aid on board.
Rescue Operations and Medical Evacuations in Varna
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched immediately following the explosions. While the crew of the Able was safely evacuated, the fate of the crew from the sunken Alfa Watan remained unknown. Initial searches yielded no immediate sign of the missing crew, though rescue teams spotted life rafts and life jackets near the debris site. A fast patrol boat from the Bulgarian Navy was deployed to retrieve two injured sailors from the Able, one suffering from burns and the other from a head injury. Both wounded mariners were transported to the naval port of Varna for emergency treatment at the Naval Hospital, while the remaining 16 survivors arrived via a border police vessel.
Prime Minister Radev convened an emergency meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Environment and Water, presidential offices, and state security services.
War Escalation Threatens Global Security and Black Sea Logistics
Prime Minister Radev warned that the continuous escalation of the war threatens further geographical expansion and heightens the risk of global conflict, noting that attacks on civilian maritime transport severely disrupt Black Sea logistics and drive up marine insurance premiums. Military analysts commenting on the broader security situation, such as retired Commander Sandu Valentin Mateiu in an interview with Adevărul, pointed out that unilateral maritime restrictions and attacks on neutral merchant ships operating under foreign flags violate established norms of international law. The Bulgarian government continues to investigate the exact circumstances of the drone strikes.