Search underway for missing crew after drone strikes off Bulgaria

A major air and sea search operation was underway on Tuesday in the Black Sea for 11 missing crew members after drones struck two ships off the coast of Bulgaria. UPI and the Daily Mail both reported that one of the vessels sank following the attacks. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev blamed Russia for the strikes, stating that logic suggested Russia was responsible. [1][2]

According to UPI, all 15 crew members from the Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3, consisting of seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijani nationals, were rescued after their vessel was attacked 18 miles off the Bulgarian port. The Daily Mail noted that the Prime Minister reported the Ukrainian-owned ship was hit by three aerial drones before a second ship was struck and sank. [1][2]

The Daily Mail reported that five crew members were rescued from the vessel that sank off the coast of the village of Krapets, leaving 11 people missing. However, UPI reported that one person was rescued from the unidentified vessel that sank approximately 17 miles off the port of Krapets. [1][2]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, two vessels were targeted by drones roughly 24 kilometres off the Bulgarian coast, leading Bulgarian authorities to step up surveillance across the Black Sea and request help from the European Union and NATO to investigate the strikes. [7]

The Daily Mail reported that Prime Minister Radev called the attacks absolutely unacceptable. He stated his intention to summon the Russian ambassador regarding the strikes, while a similar incident occurred in the area just a week prior. [1][2]