Two merchant ships attacked in Bulgaria’s economic zone

Two merchant ships were attacked by drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. One sank and the crew of the other was evacuated; the fate of the first ship’s crew remains unknown.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the attack involved both sea and aerial drones. Bulgarian authorities and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) said a vessel flying the Togo flag sank, while a fire broke out aboard the second ship, which was sailing under the flag of Palau.

Eighteen (18) people from the second vessel’s crew, citizens of Turkey and India, were rescued. Two (2) were injured. The ship was carrying wheat. The search for the crew of the sunken vessel is continuing, with army aviation taking part.

Bulgarian officials have not identified who may have been behind the attack. The Associated Press reported that the drones’ origin had not been established. Radev convened an emergency meeting with military and security-service representatives.