site.btaFive Crew Members Rescued, 11 Missing after Ship Sinks off Krapets

Five crew members have been rescued from a ship that was struck and sank in the Blask Sea 17 nautical miles east of Krapets, while 11 remain missing, the Dobrich Regional Administration said Tuesday, citing information from the institutions coordinating the rescue operation.

Four crew members were taken aboard one vessel, while a fifth was rescued by another ship in the area.

Dobrich Regional Governor Ruslan Tomov said that the necessary arrangements were made, and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre took all necessary action. The rescued sailors were taken to Varna, he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported new drone attacks on two ships in the Black Sea. The other vessel was struck by three aerial drones 18 nautical miles east of Byala. The incidents come a week after two ships were attacked by maritime and aerial drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, prompting President Iliana Iotova to convene the Consultative Council for National Security.

An emergency meeting of the Security Council under the Council of Ministers was held on Tuesday after the new attacks.

Bulgaria’s permanent representatives to NATO and the European Union have been notified, and a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected.