Friday, October 9, 2026 - Bulgarian authorities have ended the search for missing sailors after a cargo ship sank following a drone attack in the Black Sea, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region. The vessel, identified as the Alfa Watan, sank on October 6, 2026, after being struck by drones approximately 70 nautical miles off Bulgaria’s coast.
According to Reuters, 12 Syrian crew members were believed to be aboard the ship, but rescuers found no survivors despite an extensive search. Investigators recovered an overturned boat, three life rafts and pieces of the vessel’s equipment.
The attack also damaged a second commercial vessel, the Able, whose entire crew of 18 was rescued, although two people were seriously injured. Bulgarian officials confirmed that the attacks occurred within the country’s exclusive economic zone, outside its territorial waters.
The origin of the drones remains under investigation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia, while Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said there was insufficient evidence to definitively identify the attacker. Russia’s embassy denied that the sunken vessel had been among its targets.
The incident has intensified fears that the Russia-Ukraine war is creating growing risks for civilian vessels operating across the Black Sea. Disruptions to shipping routes could increase insurance costs, threaten vital cargo deliveries and put more seafarers in danger.
Bulgarian authorities are considering stronger maritime surveillance and additional counter-drone capabilities, while the government plans consultations with regional partners Turkey and Romania. With the search now officially halted and the investigation continuing, urgent questions remain over responsibility for the attack and what measures can prevent further losses at sea.
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