Greek Container Ship Sinks After Drone Attack

A Greek-managed container ship, the Contship Jet, has sunk after being struck by three naval drones off the coast of Bulgaria, according to the Bulgarian government and international media. The incident occurred approximately 21 nautical miles off Shabla, within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone but outside its territorial waters, as the vessel was en route from Haifa, Israel, to Constanta, Romania. The Contship Jet, carrying 421 containers under a Liberian flag, was hit on its starboard side and began to drift and take on water, resulting in several containers falling overboard. All 18 crew members, including 14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians, were safely rescued and transported to the Bulgarian port of Varna. Authorities report that the drones approached from the east, but full analysis of the attack is ongoing. This incident is the latest in a series of naval attacks in the Black Sea, raising concerns over the safety of commercial shipping amid ongoing regional tensions. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.