Ship sinks and crew missing after Black Sea drone attack

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Crew missing after drone attack sinks ship in Black Sea

   A cargo ship has sunk in the Black Sea off Bulgaria after a drone attack, with its crew reported missing. A second vessel was also hit in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, but its 18 crew members were rescued. The incidents have raised concerns about escalating attacks on ships in the region amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

   Why it matters

   The drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea have escalated tensions in the region, as Russia intensifies its military operations against Ukraine. The incidents have sparked international concern, with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev describing the attacks as a gross violation of international law. The Black Sea has become a critical front in the conflict, with Ukraine and Russia engaging in a series of attacks on each other's shipping and infrastructure.

   What is confirmed

   • A cargo ship sank in the Black Sea off Bulgaria after a drone attack, with its crew missing.
   • A second vessel was hit in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, but its 18 crew members were rescued.
   • Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the attacks as a gross violation of international law.
   • Romania rescued 11 seafarers and 2 deceased from a Turkish vessel hit by drones in the Black Sea.

   Still unconfirmed

   • It is not clear who is behind the drone attacks on the merchant ships.

   What to watch next

   • Further developments on the investigation into the drone attacks
   • International response to the escalating attacks on shipping in the Black Sea
   • Updates on the search and rescue efforts for the missing crew
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. Euronews.com — Turkish grain ship sinks in Black Sea after deadly drone attack
   2. BBC — Zelensky condemns 'horrific' Russian strike on boat carrying corn in Black Sea
   3. Al Jazeera — Ukraine says Russian drone attack sinks ship in Romanian waters
   4. The Maritime Executive — Romania Rescues 11 Seafarers and 2 Deceased from Turkish Vessel
   5. apnews.com — Bulgarian prime minister says 2 commercial vessels hit by drones in economic zone
   6. Reuters — Crew missing after drone sinks ship in Bulgaria's Black Sea
   7. bbc.com — Sailors missing after fresh attacks on Black Sea vessels, Bulgaria says
   8. Politico — Sailors missing after drones hit merchant ships in Bulgarian waters
   9. Euronews.com — Search for missing crew after drones sink cargo ship off Bulgaria
   10. Bloomberg.com — Ukraine War Escalates as Black Sea Drone Strikes Hit Cargo Ships
   11. Yahoo — Cargo ship crew missing after drones attack two vessels in Black Sea
   12. The New York Times — Drones Hit Ships Off Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast, Prime Minister Says
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