Marta Kos expresses solidarity with Bulgaria after Black Sea drone attacks

At a press conference held as part of the International Ministerial Conference on Corridor 8 in Sofia, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed solidarity with Bulgaria following drone strikes on commercial vessels in Bulgarian waters in the Black Sea.

“We were shocked by the drone attacks against ships in Bulgarian waters. These attacks are unacceptable, a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law and a clear reminder of the security threats facing Europe,” Kos said. She added that such attacks also jeopardise the food security of millions of people around the world, BTA reported.

On 6 October, two commercial vessels were attacked by an aerial and a maritime drone in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, about 70 nautical miles east of Bulgaria's Byala. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank, and its crew members were not found during the subsequent rescue operation.

Drones hit two ships 80 nautical miles off the Bulgarian coast

Bulgaria calls off search for crew of sunken cargo ship Alfa Watan

The second vessel, the Palau-flagged Able, was damaged and a fire broke out on board. All 18 crew members were rescued, while two injured sailors were taken to Varna for medical treatment.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova