Nine Syrians missing after cargo ship sunk by drone in Black Sea
Nine sailors from Syria and one from Egypt are missing after a cargo ship was sunk in the Black Sea, with search-and-rescue operations called off. The Turkish-owned Alfa Watan was hit by a drone off the Bulgarian coast on Tuesday. Russia is suspected of involvement in the latest of several such incidents during the war in Ukraine . Bulgaria said there were “no traces” of the 10 crew members and…
Nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian sailor are missing after their cargo ship was sunk by a drone in the Black Sea off the Bulgarian coast on Tuesday. The Turkish-owned Alfa Watan was targeted while sailing near the Bulgarian town of Byala. Search-and-rescue operations were called off on Wednesday as Bulgarian officials found no trace of the crew.
Bulgaria has called for an investigation by the International Maritime Organisation to determine the cause of the attack, suggesting Russia may be involved. Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the nature of the cargo and the direction of the ships' movement point towards Russian involvement, though the Russian embassy in Sofia denies responsibility.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia, noting that his country's forces were not operating in the area. Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova said the nation would seek additional protection from Turkey, Romania, and NATO, including deploying air and maritime surveillance capabilities and counter-drone systems.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Nine Syrians missing after cargo ship sunk by drone in Black Sea thenationalnews.com
- Syria calls for independent probe into sinking of ship in Black Sea al-monitor.com
