---
title: "Civilian cargo ship sinks in Black Sea after drone attack"
url: https://noti.group/civilian-cargo-ship-sinks-in-black-sea-after-drone-attack/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "World News"
published: 2026-10-06T11:53:21.000Z
updated: 2026-10-07T16:57:58.529Z
id: 43acc522-9c08-4f9b-a382-3af516628e28
source: "BBC News World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ly0v5r602eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/civilian-cargo-ship-sinks-in-black-sea-after-drone-attack/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Civilian cargo ship sinks in Black Sea after drone attack

A civilian cargo ship has sunk in the Black Sea after being attacked by drones, leaving its crew missing, according to Bulgarian officials. The incident occurred within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, where another vessel was also targeted and its 18 crew members rescued.

The attacks come as Russia increases strikes in the eastern part of the Black Sea, a key area for Moscow's war against Ukraine. Prime Minister Rumen Radev did not specify who was responsible for the drone assault but acknowledged that it took place in a sensitive region.

Air and sea drones were involved in the attack at around 03:00 local time, approximately 70 miles off the Bulgarian coastal town of Byala. The sunken ship, named Alfa Watan, was registered under the flag of Togo and owned by Turkish interests, with its destination reportedly Sulina, Romania.

Details about the cargo carried on board the Alfa Watan or the number of people on board at the time of the incident remain unclear.

A search operation has been launched after a Bulgarian vessel arrived at the scene and found an overturned boat with life jackets and rafts nearby.

Eleven crew members rescued from another ship, the Able, which was transporting grain and flying the flag of Palau, were among those affected by the incident. The Turkish and Indian nationals on board the Able had been rescued along with two injured sailors who had suffered burns in a fire on their vessel. Bulgarian President Radev has condemned the strikes as a "flagrant violation of maritime law.

The last reported position of the Alfa Watan was just five nautical miles from the Able, indicating that the two ships were close to each other at the time of the incident. The exact circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Alfa Watan and the number of people on board remain unclear.

Radev has expressed his opposition to any military actions within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, calling such an attack absolutely unacceptable". He also warned that the ongoing war in Ukraine could have far-reaching consequences, including a heightened risk of global conflict if it is not brought under control.

The recent drone attack on a commercial ship in the Black Sea has raised concerns about the safety of innocent crews at sea.

Attacks on civilian shipping are unacceptable and can have devastating consequences for those involved. The incident highlights the need for international cooperation to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea covers a significant area, spanning approximately 29,000 square kilometers or about 6% of the total size of the sea. This makes it a crucial region where maritime security and safety are paramount.

The recent escalation of drone attacks has also led to a separate incident near Odesa, where a crew member was killed and seven others were injured on a ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands.

---
Source: [BBC News World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ly0v5r602eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/civilian-cargo-ship-sinks-in-black-sea-after-drone-attack/