Bulgaria reports missing crew after drone strike sinks Togo‑flagged ship in Black Sea
Two commercial vessels were hit off Bulgaria; one crew was rescued while the other, a Togo‑flagged ship, sank and its crew remains missing.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A merchant ship sank after a drone strike in the Black Sea near Bulgaria, leaving its crew missing, officials said.
What happened
At about 70 miles off the coastal town of Byala, air and sea drones struck two commercial vessels on Tuesday, 2026‑10‑06. One vessel, carrying grain, was rescued with two crew members injured. The second vessel, flagged to Togo, sank and its crew could not be accounted for, prompting a search operation.
What the reports add
- Both Independent articles note that shipping sources described the incident as the first drone attack in Bulgarian waters.
- The vessels were identified by British maritime risk‑management group Vanguard as the Togo‑flagged general‑cargo ship ALFA WATAN and the Palau‑flagged general‑cargo ship ABLE.
- Prime Minister Rumen Radev said in a televised statement that two ships were struck, and later posted on X that the attack “constitutes a serious breach of maritime and international law and will further jeopardise safe navigation in the Black Sea.”
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attacks on civilian shipping “unacceptable” and said, “Commercial ships – and innocent crews – are being targeted, with lives already lost at sea.”
- A maritime security source cited in both reports said initial assessments suggested the strike was probably Russian.
What was said
Prime Minister Rumen Radev told national television that two ships were hit, but did not identify the attacker.
If this war is not brought to an end in time, it will continue to expand its geographical scope and increase the risk of even a global conflict.
He added, “We are seeing the war intensify, with all the rules of international law now being violated, and civilian vessels being attacked at sea. This is absolutely unacceptable.” (Independent)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Commercial ships – and innocent crews – are being targeted, with lives already lost at sea,” and called the attacks unacceptable. (Independent)
How it came about
The incident follows a pattern of drone attacks in the region, including Russia’s intensified drone campaign against Ukraine earlier in September (Felo coverage). Concerns about Russian hybrid tactics have risen as the war in Ukraine continues, prompting NATO members like Bulgaria to monitor maritime security closely.
Key facts
- Two commercial vessels were struck by drones 70 miles off Byala, Bulgaria on 2026‑10‑06. (independent.co.uk)
- One vessel, a grain carrier, was rescued with two injured crew members. (independent.co.uk)
- The second vessel, flagged to Togo, sank and its crew remains missing. (independent.co.uk)
- Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed the attacks in a televised statement. (independent.co.uk)
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks as unacceptable. (independent.co.uk)
