In brief
Uncrewed drones struck the cargo vessel Alfa Watan near Bulgaria’s coast, causing it to sink and leaving its crew unaccounted for after a rapid search. A second ship, the grain carrier Able, was also hit but its crew were rescued with injuries. The incident has drawn condemnation from Bulgarian and EU leaders who label the attacks a flagrant violation of maritime law. It comes amid heightened hostilities in the region, amplifying concerns over the safety of international commerce in the Black Sea.
An uncrewed air drone struck the cargo ship Alfa Watan, a Turkish‑owned vessel flying the flag of Togo, some 70 miles off Bulgaria’s coast, at about 3 a.m. local time on Thursday. The vessel sank within minutes, and no survivors have been located after a search operation was launched. Bulgarian authorities say a second ship, the grain carrier Able, was also hit but its 18‑man crew – 11 Turkish and seven Indian nationals – were rescued, with two injured by arson on board.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attacks as a “flagrant violation of maritime law,” while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that “attacks on civilian shipping are unacceptable” amid rising tensions in the Black Sea. Russia has not commented, and the incident comes as the country has stepped up strikes near Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskys warnings of intensified Russian oil refinery attacks.
The Black Sea is a key artery for food and energy supplies, and the expanding hostilities threaten international commerce and safety. The incident underscores the urgent need for a renewed commitment to maritime security amid a wider conflict that has cost thousands of lives.
