Syria has called for an independent investigation into the sinking of the cargo ship Alfa Watan in the Black Sea, after all 10 crew members, including nine Syrians, went missing.
Mazen Aloush of the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs urged the International Maritime Organization and Bulgarian authorities to investigate why search and rescue operations were halted before the crew’s fate was established.
Bulgaria said it stopped the search after finding no trace of the sailors. The vessel sank after reportedly being hit by a drone about 70 nautical miles, or 130 km, off Bulgaria’s coast.
The identity of those behind the attack remains unclear. Syria called the incident a serious threat to maritime safety and international trade and urged authorities to inspect the wreckage using available technology.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the ships’ cargo and direction could point to Russia, but acknowledged there was no evidence to directly assign responsibility. Russia’s embassy in Sofia denied that the vessel was among targets hit by Russian drones.
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