Syria requests an independent investigation from the IMO and Bulgaria into the sinking of ALFA WATAN and the fate of its missing crew.
CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION TO IMO FOR ALFA WATAN
Following the drone attack off the coast of Bulgaria, there has been no news of the 10-member crew of the ALFA WATAN, which sank, consisting of 9 Syrians and 1 Egyptian. Syria reacted to the cessation of search and rescue operations by requesting an independent investigation from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Bulgarian authorities.
As uncertainty continues regarding the missing crew of the Togolese-flagged general cargo ship ALFA WATAN, which sank after being attacked in the Black Sea on October 6, 2026, the Syrian government has taken action for an international investigation into the incident.
The General Administration of Borders and Customs of Syria made urgent applications to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the relevant maritime authorities of Bulgaria on October 8, requesting an independent and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the ship's sinking and the fate of the crew.
According to information provided by Syrian authorities, 9 of the 10 sailors on board the ship are Syrian, and one is Egyptian. The entire crew is currently missing.
Bulgaria has suspended search and rescue operations.
ALFA WATAN was targeted by drones early in the morning of October 6, Tuesday, approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Byala, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone.
The ship, which sustained heavy damage after the attack, sank. Bulgarian authorities initiated a search and rescue operation in the area, but the crew could not be reached.
Admiral Rumen Nikolov from the Bulgarian Maritime Administration stated on October 7 that no trace of the sailors had been found and that the search and rescue operations would not be resumed.
During the operation, it was reported that a boat, three lifeboats, and some equipment pieces belonging to the ship were found.
Official application from Syria to the IMO and Bulgaria
Mazen Alloush, Director of International Relations and Cooperation at the General Administration of Borders and Customs of Syria, requested an investigation into the reasons for the cessation of search and rescue activities without determining the fate of the crew.
Alloush emphasized that all available technical means should be utilized to locate and examine the wreck of the ship.
Syrian authorities demanded clarification on how the attack occurred, why the ship sank, and the identification of those responsible for the incident.
Alloush also stressed that the case should not be closed until all investigative options regarding the missing sailors have been exhausted.
It has not been announced whether the IMO has initiated an investigation.
Syria's application requests that the IMO and Bulgarian authorities investigate the incident within the framework of international maritime safety regulations.
However, as of October 12, there has been no official statement confirming that the IMO has initiated an independent investigation into the ALFA WATAN incident or made a specific decision regarding the application.
The Syrian government has also called on international maritime organizations to strengthen measures for the protection of commercial vessels and crews in the Black Sea.
The perpetrator of the attack has not yet been identified.
Bulgarian authorities have not made a definitive determination regarding who carried out the attack on ALFA WATAN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia for the attack, while Russia's embassy in Sofia stated that the ship was not among the targets of Russian drones.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted that the ships' cargoes and navigation directions could indicate Russia, but responsibility cannot be attributed without conclusive evidence.
ABLE was also targeted in the same attack.
The Palau-flagged general cargo ship ABLE was also damaged in the attack that sank ALFA WATAN.
A fire broke out on the ABLE, which was carrying wheat, but all 18 crew members on board were rescued.
The attacks occurring in the western part of the Black Sea have brought international measures for the navigation safety of commercial vessels and the protection of seafarers back to the forefront.
Syrian authorities stated that they would continue their efforts through diplomatic and international maritime channels until the fate of the missing crew of ALFA WATAN is clarified.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
