Search for the missing crew of the ALFA WATAN has ended with no survivors found after the vessel sank off Bulgaria's coast.
The missing crew of the Togo-flagged ALFA WATAN, which sank following an attack off the coast of Bulgaria, has not been located. Bulgarian authorities announced that the search and rescue operation, which was concluded on October 6 at 17:00, will not be resumed.
After the ALFA WATAN vessel sank on October 6, following being targeted by air and sea drones in the Black Sea, the search for its crew has been terminated. Retired Rear Admiral Rumen Nikolov, the official responsible for search and rescue activities at the Bulgarian Maritime Administration, stated in Varna on October 7 that no trace of the seafarers had been found and that the operation would not be restarted.
No survivors or bodies have been found.
During the search efforts, a capsized boat, three life rafts, and parts of the ship's equipment were discovered. However, no survivors or bodies from the crew have been located. According to the Bulgarian authorities, the operation was halted on October 6 at 17:00 local time.
In a news report aired by Bulgarian state television BNT on the evening of October 7, it was noted that the ship sank approximately three minutes after the attack. Nikolov stated that due to the rapid sinking of the vessel, they assessed the likelihood of finding any survivors as low. The confirmed latest status regarding the crew is that the seafarers are still missing.
Conflicting information on crew numbers.
Reuters reported, based on Nikolov's statement, that there were 12 crew members on board the ALFA WATAN, all of whom are believed to be Syrian nationals. BNT also referred to Bulgarian authorities mentioning 12 Syrian seafarers. However, Euronews updated its report indicating that the number of missing crew members is 10. Therefore, there is a discrepancy among sources regarding the exact number of crew members.
Nikolov also announced that his unit would not conduct an underwater inspection of the wreck. The nature of the cargo carried by the ALFA WATAN has not yet been clarified.
Treatment of the severely injured crew member of ABLE continues.
The 18-member crew of the Palau-flagged ABLE, which was damaged in the same attack, was rescued with the assistance of the Bulgarian-flagged ferry DIOSCURIA. According to BNT's evening news, the treatment of the Indian national engineering crew member, who has severe burns, is ongoing in Varna, and his condition remains serious.
It has been reported that the engine room of the evacuated ABLE took on a significant amount of water and that the stern section is submerged. Bulgarian officials are assessing that the vessel may sink; however, there has been no confirmation in the latest reports indicating that ABLE has sunk.
Responsibility for the attack has not yet been confirmed.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated after a security meeting on October 7 that they cannot say the attack was carried out by Russia without evidence. Russia's embassy in Sofia, in a statement to Reuters, claimed that the commercial vessel was not among the targets of Russian drones.
The Bulgarian National Security Advisory Council has called for an investigation into the attacks and the identification of those responsible. During the meeting, it was also suggested to discuss joint steps with Turkey and Romania for the safety of commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
