Greek container ship sinks after sea drone attack off Bulgaria in Black Sea

Sofia, Bulgaria. A Greek container ship sank on Wednesday after sea drones struck it off the Bulgarian coast, according to the Bulgarian government. The incident is the newest in a string of attacks on vessels in the western Black Sea this month.

The attack

The identity of those responsible was not immediately known. The strike deepened concerns about how Russia’s war in Ukraine affects commercial shipping in the region.

The CONTSHIP JET, which sails under the Liberian flag, carried 421 containers. Three sea drones severely damaged it as it crossed Bulgaria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, though it was outside the country’s territorial waters. The vessel was travelling from Haifa in Israel to Constanța in Romania.

Crew rescued

Contships Management reported that all 18 crew members, 14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians, were saved and taken safely to the Bulgarian port of Varna.

Wider pattern of strikes

Government statements indicate that drones have hit at least six ships off Bulgaria this month, and roughly two dozen seafarers are feared dead. Bulgaria, which belongs to both the European Union and NATO, has asked for help to strengthen security along its Black Sea coast.

Bulgarian naval commander Kiril Mihaylov told national television that a French patrol aircraft had warned authorities of a possible drone attack. According to him, they were unable to stop it.

Pollution checks

The government said initial inspections on Thursday found no visible signs of pollution from the vessel. Its cargo included lithium-ion batteries, corrosive liquids, acids and industrial components.