Capsized freighter Khoryv drifts toward Bulgaria's zone as navy sends a ship
The vessel, hit by a suspected drone off Constanta, is expected in Bulgaria's area of responsibility. Foreign Minister Petrova says Sofia is tracing the drones' origin.
Symbolic image · Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luis R. Chavez / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
The capsized cargo ship Khoryv is expected to drift into Bulgaria's maritime area of responsibility within 24 hours, the Transport and Communications Ministry said on Tuesday evening. The vessel sent a distress call on Oct. 23 after a suspected drone strike about 13 nautical miles off the Romanian port of Constanta. Authorities are tracking its movement in real time.
Transport Minister Georgi Peev and Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov discussed steps to ensure the safety of navigation. A Bulgarian navy vessel will be sent to inspect the Khoryv, and regular notices to mariners will be issued.
Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova told bTV that Bulgaria is doing everything possible to gather evidence on the origin of the drones that attacked merchant ships. The Russian ambassador was summoned to Prime Minister Rumen Radev. Petrova said a moratorium on attacks on merchant vessels could be a first step, but only a halt to the fighting in Ukraine would guarantee security in the region.