Drones hit two ships in Bulgaria’s EEZ; Rumen Radev convenes emergency meeting

Drones struck two merchant vessels in Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea on Tuesday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation in the country’s exclusive economic zone off the Varna coast. One of the ships has reportedly sunk and crews were taken off the other vessel amid ongoing emergency efforts. ([euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/06/drones-hit-two-ships-off-coast-of-bulgaria-as-government-calls-emergency-meeting?utm_source=openai))

The ships identified in preliminary reports are ALFA WATAN (IMO: 7510884), flagged in Togo, and ABLE (IMO: 9001136), flagged in Palau. Both are described as general cargo vessels. ([btvnovinite.bg](https://btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/na-zhivo-po-btv-izvanredna-sreshta-pri-rumen-radev-za-udarenite-korabi-v-balgarski-vodi.html?utm_source=openai))

Authorities and rescue services scrambled to the scene after the strikes. According to initial accounts, one of the vessels sank; survivors from the second ship were transferred to a nearby ferry and coastguard units. Local reports say the Bulgarian ro-ro/passenger ferry DIOSCURIA was diverted to assist in the operation and that at least two people were seriously injured. ([euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/06/drones-hit-two-ships-off-coast-of-bulgaria-as-government-calls-emergency-meeting?utm_source=openai))

Government reaction and next steps

Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened an emergency meeting with ministers and security services to coordinate the response and to establish the facts of the attack. Representatives from defence, interior, transport, environmental and water authorities, as well as the presidency and security agencies, were listed as participants in the session. President Iliyana Yotova cancelled a planned public engagement in connection with the incident. ([sofiaglobe.com](https://sofiaglobe.com/2026/10/06/pm-radev-calls-emergency-meeting-after-drone-attacks-on-two-ships-in-bulgarian-eez-with-one-sunk/?utm_source=openai))

Bulgarian authorities described the strikes as unprecedented for the country’s exclusive economic zone. Investigations are under way to determine who carried out the attack, how the drones reached the area and whether there are further threats to maritime traffic in the Black Sea. International and regional partners are expected to monitor developments closely. ([bgnes.com](https://www.bgnes.com/politics/drones-strike-two-ships-in-bulgarian-waters-ferry-rescues-crew-of-one-as-other-sinks?utm_source=openai))

Rescue teams remain on scene and officials said more information about the crew members’ condition and the causes of the explosions will be released as it becomes available. Further updates are expected from the government information service and maritime rescue coordination units. ([bntnews.bg](https://bntnews.bg/news/na-zhivo-dva-koraba-sa-udareni-ot-dronove-v-balgarski-vodi-ediniyat-e-potanal-1415566news.html?utm_source=openai))

Photo: press material from the event