Two commercial ships were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. One sank and the other caught fire. All 18 crew members from the second vessel were evacuated, and two sailors were seriously injured.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the attack occurred about 128 kilometers off the coast. He spoke after an emergency government meeting. The origin of the drones had not been established at the time of publication.
The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan suffered critical structural damage and sank. Early reports said there was no immediate information about its crew. The Palau-flagged Able caught fire. A Bulgarian ferry evacuated all 18 crew members, and two injured sailors were taken to a hospital in Varna.
It was the first known attack on commercial shipping in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone. The Associated Press also reported that authorities were monitoring for a possible oil spill and other environmental damage. No party had been identified as responsible for the attack.