Human remains found in Varna aboard a vessel undergoing repairs have prompted a Bulgarian investigation. The Varna District Prosecution Office said workers discovered severely damaged remains while clearing wreckage and that DNA tests had been ordered. The office’s statement did not name the vessel or specify how many people the remains represented. Bulgarian broadcaster bTV identified it as Wine Trader, a 6,259-dwt tanker sailing under the San Marino flag. Prosecutors said there were no Bulgarian nationals among its crew.
Built in 1989, Wine Trader was anchored near Sulina on 15 October, reportedly waiting for clearance to proceed on the Danube, when what appeared to be three drones struck it and a fire broke out. The crew called Romanian authorities for help. Romania rescued five seafarers; seven others were reported missing. The tanker was towed to a Varna shipyard for repairs in early November.
NOVA, citing Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry, reported that six of the seven missing seafarers had been found aboard. Prosecutors did not confirm that number. Romania is also investigating the incident.
The tanker was among at least nine merchant vessels struck off the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts during October. Reuters reported that about 34 seafarers had been reported killed or missing in the attacks. The Maritime Executive reported on 9 November that no further merchant-ship attacks near the two countries had been reported since 29 October.
NATO said it would reinforce its Black Sea presence with maritime patrol aircraft, radar and drones. France extended its Atlantique 2 patrol aircraft’s deployment in Romania by several weeks. The aircraft detected three sea drones heading toward Contship Jet on 28 October and alerted Bulgarian authorities and the ship, but the container vessel was struck and later sank. All 18 crew members were rescued. The Maritime Executive reported that Contship Jet was under charter to ZIM.
Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria also discussed measures to protect commercial shipping. Turkey said it was awaiting responses to a proposal aimed at halting attacks and ensuring safe grain shipments. On 8 November, Russia said it had hit three cargo vessels near Ukrainian ports, claiming they carried military goods. Reuters said it could not independently verify the Russian claim.
