Drone attack sinks ship off Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 09:14 · Archive

Drone strikes hit two ships off Bulgaria's coast in the Black Sea, sinking one vessel and prompting rescue operations.

Two ships were hit by drone strikes in the Black Sea off Bulgaria's coast on Tuesday morning, with one vessel sinking, according to Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3, sailing under Maltese flag, was struck by three aerial drones approximately 18 nautical miles from the Bulgarian coast at around 1:30am. A second ship was also hit and subsequently sank.

The Chelsea 3's crew of 15—seven Ukrainian nationals and eight Azerbaijani citizens—were rescued and brought safely to the port of Varna. Five crew members received medical assistance, but no one sustained serious injuries. One person from the sunken vessel was also rescued, though outlets differ on details of other crew members aboard that ship.

Radev described the attacks as "absolutely unacceptable" in a televised address, saying: "Another attack in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters." He announced he would speak with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and said Bulgaria was requesting assistance from NATO and the European Union to investigate the attacks and strengthen surveillance of air and maritime domains.

While Bulgarian authorities lack clear evidence to definitively identify who carried out the strikes, Radev stated that "the logic suggests that the outcome benefits the Russian Federation." He said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for a conversation over the incident.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the drone attacks, stating: "The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable. I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria's coast." She called for those responsible to be held accountable and thanked Bulgaria's rescuers for their swift response.

The attacks occurred exactly one week after similar drone strikes on two other commercial vessels in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, during which a Togo-flagged ship sank and an 18-member crew was evacuated from another vessel. The Guardian reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine's military did not conduct operations near the locations of last week's attacks, pointing the finger at Russia instead.

Bulgaria, a NATO member state, holds a strategically important position on the Black Sea where both Russia and Ukraine maintain vital ports. The repeated attacks have raised concerns about hybrid warfare in the region.

How it is being reported

• Fresh Black Sea drone attacks condemned as ‘unacceptable’ escalation of Russian warBulgaria announced it will summon the Russian ambassador after two commercial ships hit by drone strikesIndependent World · 13 Oct, 09:01
• Two ships hit by drones of unknown origin off Bulgarian coast – Europe liveRescue operations underway after one vessel damaged and another sunk in the Black Sea Drones of unknown origin struck two ships in the Black Sea off Bulgaria this morning, sinking one and prompting emergency rescue operations, the country’s prime minister Rumen Radev said. Only one person was rescued from the sunken vessel, and 15 people were picked up from the other one. “ This is unacceptable. I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s coast. Putting the lives of the crew in grave danger and threatening security in the Black Sea. We stand with Bulgaria and thank…The Guardian · 13 Oct, 08:58
• Drone attack sinks ship off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, PM saysTwo ships were hit in the attack, including the Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3, which sustained damage.Al Jazeera · 13 Oct, 08:36
• Two ships are hit in drone strikes off Bulgaria, including Ukrainian vessel - a week after similar attackTwo ships have been hit in a drone attack in the Black Sea off the coast of Bulgaria, a week after a similar incident.Daily Mail · 13 Oct, 08:34
• Russian drones hit ships and sink one on edge of NATO territory in 'unacceptable' attackA suspected Russian drone attack has hit two ships off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, sinking one of the vessels. The incident occurred about 15 miles off Bulgaria's coast, with seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani citizens rescuedThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 07:45

In this story: Bulgaria · Rumen Radev · Ursula von der Leyen · Ukraine · Russia · NATO · Chelsea 3 · Black Sea

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem