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Alfa Watan sinks after drone attack off Bulgaria

Two merchant ships were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Alfa Watan sank with its crew missing, while all 18 people aboard the burning Able were rescued. Bulgarian authorities have not identified the attacker. The incident struck civilian shipping as commercial vessels continue to face danger during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

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A burning cargo ship on open water seen from a rescue vessel, with a second cargo hull low in the distant sea.

Alfa Watan’s crew remains missing

Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea on 6 October. A second merchant vessel, Able, caught fire in the same incident. Bulgarian authorities were trying to establish who sent the drones. The attacks involved civilian cargo vessels, with the fate of one crew still unresolved.[1], [2]

Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev placed the incident approximately 112 kilometres off Byala, a town on the country’s Black Sea coast. He described the use of both aerial and maritime drones, without naming the party responsible.[1]

Able’s 18 crew members were rescued

All 18 people aboard the Palau-flagged Able were rescued after the fire. Bulgarian authorities said two crew members were injured. The rescued group comprised 11 Turkish and 7 Indian nationals. The ship was carrying grain when it was attacked.[1]

The sunken ship’s cargo and crew total remain unclear

The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan was described as Turkish-owned and reportedly heading for Sulina, a Romanian port. Its cargo and the number of people aboard were unclear. Maritime risk company Vanguard recorded distress calls from both vessels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned attacks on civilian ships and said the facts were being investigated, against the backdrop of continuing risks to Black Sea shipping during Russia’s war against Ukraine.[1]

References

  1. News sourceBBCTwo ships struck off Bulgaria; one crew missing↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceBNTTwo ships attacked by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone↩
Russia-Ukraine warMiddle East balance of powerEnergy transition and climate

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