All 18 crew members rescued from drone-hit ship in Black Sea

All 18 crew members of a Liberian-flagged container ship struck by three drones in the Black Sea have been rescued, with no fatalities reported. The joint rescue operation, involving Bulgaria's emergency rescue services, Maritime Administration, Navy, Air Force and Border Police, has now been completed.

• Container ship struck by three drones 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla

"The crew is safe. We thank Bulgaria for carrying out the rescue operation so quickly," a spokesperson for the Greek company managing the CONTSHIP JET told Maritime.bg.

Transport Minister Georgi Peev also thanked the teams involved in the operation for their professionalism and swift response in saving lives.

The website later reported that the ship was still afloat and drifting southwards. More than 20 containers carrying non-flammable and non-toxic gases, flammable gases, flammable liquids and other hazardous substances were scattered in the area where the ship was struck.

Yavor Dimitrov, director of the Black Sea Basin Directorate, denied reports that hazardous substances had been found in containers aboard the ship struck by three drones. He said the agency would take seawater samples off Cape Kaliakra tomorrow. Regular water quality tests are carried out in the area, including off Durankulak, Dimitrov added.

Editor: Diana Tsankova