Bulgarian drone attack sinks container ship, forcing 18 crew to sea rescue

Three maritime drones struck the Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet approximately 21 nautical miles off the Bulgarian coast on Wednesday. The vessel subsequently sank, according to the local maritime administration. The attack marks the fifth incident targeting a commercial ship within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone this month. The Contship Jet was traveling from the port of Haifa in Israel to Constanța in Romania when it came under fire.

All 18 crew members survived the incident. The team consisted of 14 Filipino nationals and four Ukrainian citizens. Bulgarian naval and border police vessels rescued the sailors and transported them to the port city of Varna for medical evaluation. The ship carried containers with lithium-ion batteries, flammable liquids, gases, and other hazardous materials. Navy teams collected samples from various locations in Bulgarian territorial waters and reported no signs of pollution.

The sinking occurred during a security meeting in Sofia involving defense ministers from Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. The three NATO nations discussed regional threats and the safety of maritime routes. Following the talks, the ministers issued a joint statement condemning the drone attacks on commercial vessels. They called for an immediate cessation of strikes that threaten ships, infrastructure, and maritime activities. The group also agreed to enhance intelligence sharing and early warning capabilities in the Black Sea.

Recent incidents off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria have raised questions among alliance members regarding Russian intent. Some suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Russia has not formally taken responsibility for the recent attacks, but suspicion remains directed toward Moscow. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev told Parliament earlier this month that the logic points in that direction, noting the difficulty of proving it.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte addressed the issue on Oct. 15. He stated that the alliance had strengthened its posture along the eastern flank. This included increasing counter-drone capabilities in response to frequent strikes on commercial vessels. The sinking of the Contship Jet adds to the pressure on these defensive measures.

The maritime administration confirmed the sinking on Thursday. The vessel had been managed by a Greek company. The attack site lies within the exclusive economic zone of a NATO member state. The crew members were taken to Varna, a major port on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The incident highlights the continued vulnerability of commercial shipping routes in the region.