Syria calls for independent probe into sinking of ship in Black Sea

Nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian sailor are missing after a cargo ship was destroyed by a drone off the Bulgarian coast in the Black Sea. The Turkish-owned Alfa Watan was targeted on Tuesday, leading to the suspension of search-and-rescue operations due to no traces of the 10 crew members. Bulgaria called off the search on Wednesday.

Syria has called for an investigation by Bulgaria and the International Maritime Organisation to determine why the search was halted before the crew's fate was established. They urge the use of all available technical means to locate the wreck and investigate the incident. Bulgaria's Maritime Administration Executive Agency Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov found a boat, three life rafts, and parts of the ship's equipment before the search was halted.

While the attacker remains unidentified, concerns grow over Russian involvement in similar drone attacks on European Union and NATO countries. Prime Minister Rumen Radev suggested Russia as the probable culprit, though the Russian embassy in Sofia denied any involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia, stating Ukrainian forces were not in the area.

Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova proposed inviting Turkey and Romania to discuss shipping protection, and possibly seeking NATO assistance. NATO member Bulgaria does not border Russia or Ukraine but is situated on the Black Sea, where both nations have significant ports, and shipping has been affected by the conflict. The drone attack follows a fire incident on a Romanian ship, adding to fears that Russia may be testing NATO's defense against the ongoing crisis.