Bulgarian officials stated on Tuesday, October 13, that 11 mariners are missing after a ship sank following a drone attack off the country's coast. The incident has led Bulgaria to summon the Russian ambassador. According to officials, two cargo ships were hit by drones during the night, with one of them sinking. Although Bulgaria has not directly accused Russia of carrying out the attacks, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the results "serve the Russian Federation."
The sinking ship, identified as the cargo vessel Azov Concord, was located off the coast of the village of Krapits. Bulgarian authorities reported that five crew members were rescued, while 11 others remain missing. The ship's management, based in Turkey, was not immediately available for comment. Another ship, the Chelsea 3, flying the Maltese flag, was also hit by three drones during the night but all its crew members, consisting of seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, were rescued without serious injuries.
The incident has been condemned by Ukraine and the European Union, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating on social media that the Black Sea has become "another front in Russia's escalation of the war in Ukraine." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also commented on the incident, saying the attack "once again proves Moscow's deliberate disregard for civilian lives." He added that the Black Sea is a "lifeline for global food security, and Russia is attacking it to use hunger as a weapon and hold the world hostage."
This is not the first incident of its kind in the region. Last week, nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian sailor went missing after their ship sank due to a drone attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Another ship was also hit in the same incident but its crew was rescued. The ongoing conflict has increasingly affected shipping in the Black Sea, with the war in Ukraine now in its fifth year.
The Bulgarian government has taken steps to address the situation, with Prime Minister Radev stating that the incident is "unacceptable" and that the country's waters are a priority. The government has not provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the drone attacks or the condition of the missing mariners. An investigation into the incident is likely to be conducted.
The international community has expressed concern over the incident, with many calling for an end to the attacks on civilian shipping. The European Union has reiterated its support for Bulgaria and Ukraine in the face of these attacks. The incident has also raised concerns about the impact on global food security, with the Black Sea being a major route for grain exports.
The search and rescue operation for the missing mariners is ongoing, with Bulgarian authorities working to locate the wreckage of the ship and recover any survivors. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by shipping in the region and the need for continued international cooperation to ensure the safety of mariners and the free flow of trade.
Key points
- Bulgaria summons Russian ambassador after drone attack on cargo ships
- Eleven mariners missing after ship sinks off Bulgarian coast
- Incident condemned by Ukraine and European Union as threat to global food security
