New drone attacks on ships in Bulgaria’s Black Sea EEZ, one sunk
Two merchant ships sailing in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone on October 13 came under drone attacks, with one sunk, Prime Minister Roumen Radev said.
The Turkish-owned, St Vincent & Grenadines-flagged Azov Concorde was hit 17 nautical miles from Krapets on Bulgaria’s north Black Sea coast and sank. One crew member was rescued.
The Ukrainian-owned Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 was hit 15 nautical miles from the coast of Byala, a small town about 50km south of Varna. Fifteen crew were rescued.
Radev summoned an emergency meeting of the Cabinet security council.
He said that he would summon Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova for “a conversation” and would speak to Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The October 13 attacks come after, on October 6, drone attacks in Bulgaria’s Black Sea EEZ resulted in the sinking of cargo vessel Alfa Watan, with the apparent loss of all hands, while the Able was severely damaged, while its crew were rescued.
Radev said that on October 13 at 1.30am a signal was received for a ship in distress 18 miles east of Byala. The Maritime Rescue Center responded immediately, he said.
According to the crew, the ship was attacked with three aerial drones. The available emergency and rescue equipment was immediately activated. A Bulgarian Border Police team rescued the entire crew of the ship – seven Ukrainian citizens and eight citizens of Azerbaijan.
The ship was the Chelsea 3, sailing under the Maltese flag, registered in Odesa and owned by Ukraine, Radev said. He said that the Chelsea 3 had been brought into the port of Varna.
“According to our information, five of the crew members are receiving medical assistance for minor injuries,” Radev said.
“This is absolutely unacceptable – another attack in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters,” he said.
Bulgaria was continuing to request assistance in investigating the strikes, in order to establish with precision which country the drones that hit ships in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters come from, Radev said.
“In addition, we will continue to request and insist on assistance in strengthening the surveillance of air and sea space and in strengthening our response capabilities,” he said.
“We do not have clear evidence to accuse any of the parties. But logic indicates that the result is in favour of the Russian Federation. Therefore, today I will call Ambassador Mitrofanova for a conversation.”
(Photo of the Chelsea 3: Vesselfinder.com)
