A Turkish-owned ship sank off Bulgaria, while the crew of another was rescued after an attack involving drones. Search efforts are ongoing.
The Togolese-flagged ALFA WATAN sank after being attacked off the coast of Bulgaria. Following a fire on the Palauan-flagged ABLE, the 18-member crew was evacuated to the DIOSCURIA ferry. Search operations are ongoing for the missing crew of ALFA WATAN.
On the morning of October 6, 2026, two cargo ships were attacked in the exclusive economic zone of Bulgaria in the Black Sea. In the incident, which reportedly involved the Turkish-owned ALFA WATAN and ABLE, ALFA WATAN sank while a fire broke out on ABLE.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the attacks occurred around 03:00, approximately 70 nautical miles east of Byala. According to Radev, based on the crew's accounts, both aerial and maritime drones were used in the attacks.
Following the sinking of the Togolese-flagged ALFA WATAN, a search and rescue operation was initiated to locate the crew. Radev reported that at the time of the announcement, no contact had been made with any of the sailors on board the ship.
The Bulgarian-flagged DIOSCURIA ferry, which was in the area, headed to the scene after witnessing the explosion. According to Radev, a capsized boat, three lifeboats, and life jackets were found during the search. The fate of the missing crew remains unclear.
A fire broke out on the Palauan-flagged ABLE following the attack. All 18 crew members who abandoned the ship were taken aboard the Ro-Ro/passenger ferry DIOSCURIA.
According to information reported by Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), two sailors were more seriously injured. One of the injured had burns, while the other suffered head trauma, and the condition of the other 16 crew members was reported to be good. Medical teams were assigned to transport the injured to shore and to the hospital.
BNR reported that a distress call was received from the two ships at 04:00 in the morning. Rumen Nikolov, Director of the Varna Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, stated that communication could not be established with the crew of one of the ships, while the sailors on the other ship were rescued.
Initial reports indicated that the incident occurred approximately 80 nautical miles from the shore, while Radev later clarified that it was 70 nautical miles east of Byala.
Radev noted that, according to initial information, ABLE was sailing south loaded with wheat, while the sinking ship was heading north. No information has been disclosed regarding the cargo of ALFA WATAN.
It has not yet been confirmed which side the drones belonged to. While search operations for the missing sailors continue, investigations are also being conducted regarding potential leaks and marine pollution.
There is currently no verified information on whether the fire on ABLE has been extinguished or if the ship has been towed to a port.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
