Four surviving crew members from a vessel that sank 17 miles from Shabla arrived in Varna shortly after 8:00 p.m., according to regional authorities. Nova.bg reported that three of the rescued sailors are from Syria and one is from Egypt. The men are in relatively good condition without injuries, and Border Police officers are currently interviewing them, according to regional governor Mario Smърков. Search and rescue operations remain active for other missing crew members following a series of maritime incidents in the Black Sea.
Border Police Execute High-Risk Rescue in Stormy Waters
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev stated that Border Police conducted a complex and risky rescue operation in severe sea conditions, according to BNT Novini. The border police vessel 514, named “Burgas,” departed the port of Varna at 2:45 a.m. to aid the damaged vessel “Chelsea-3” amidst wave heights exceeding three meters. Despite the heavy weather, the border crew pulled alongside the leaning ship and successfully brought the entire foreign crew aboard by 4:43 a.m., reaching land safely at 7:15 a.m. Demerdzhiev noted that the personnel executed the mission during harsh conditions shortly after completing a previous shift.
Two Ships Struck Minutes Apart Near Bulgarian Coast
Two vessels sustained drone strikes within a five-minute interval near Byala and Shabla, Dir.bg reported. The Turkish cargo ship “Azov Concord,” sailing under the management of Istanbul-based Sarfo Denizcilik, was struck and subsequently sank 17 miles east of Krapec, according to Haber Denizde. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev confirmed that initial rescue efforts retrieved at least one crew member from the sinking ship, with subsequent reports raising the number of rescued personnel to five. The Danish-flagged offshore support vessel “Skandi Asserter” is assisting with ongoing recovery operations in the open sea.
Ten Crew Members Remain Missing After Shabla Sinking
Search efforts continue for 10 missing crew members following the sinking of the vessel “HS Dignity,” which sailed under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, nova.bg reported. Out of the ship’s 16-person complement, six sailors have been rescued so far, including the four who arrived in Varna. A fifth rescued sailor is scheduled to arrive later in the night. Smърkov credited coordinated efforts between Border Police, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, the Navy, and local police for saving the survivors despite adverse weather.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Black Sea Maritime Incidents
How many crew members are still unaccounted for?
Nova.bg reported that 10 crew members remain in unknown status following the sinking of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship, while six sailors have been rescued.
Which agencies participated in the maritime rescue operations?
Border Police vessels, including the “Burgas” ship, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, the Bulgarian Navy, and local police forces carried out the operations during severe weather conditions, as noted by regional and ministerial reports.