Syria Demands Probe After Cargo Ship Sinks Near Bulgaria
Syria called for an independent investigation after a drone attack sank the cargo ship Alfa Watan in the Black Sea, leaving 10 crew members missing.
The Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs has called for an independent investigation by the International Maritime Organization and Bulgarian authorities into the sinking of the cargo ship Alfa Watan. The vessel was attacked by a drone early Tuesday in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, resulting in the disappearance of 10 crew members, including nine Syrians.
Bulgaria halted search and rescue operations on Wednesday after Vice-Admiral Rumen Nikolov reported that no trace of the sailors had been found. Mazen Aloush, director for international relations of the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs, condemned the attack on the civilian vessel and questioned the decision to cease rescue efforts before the crew's fate was determined.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted that the ship's cargo and route could point to Russia, though he stated there is no evidence for direct attribution. The Russian embassy in Sofia denied that the merchant vessel was a target of Russian drones.
