SOFIA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Two merchant ships were attacked by drones in the Black Sea off the coast of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Council of Ministers confirmed on Tuesday.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev were meeting with representatives connected to the two ships hit inside the Bulgarian economic zone in the Black Sea, according to the Government Information Service.
A rescue operation were underway about 129 km east of the town of Byala, where the attacks took place, local media reported, adding that this was the first attack on ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.
The ships were general cargo ships -- ALFA WATAN, currently sailing under the flag of Togo, and ABLE, currently sailing under the flag of Palau.
ALFA WATAN suffered critical structural damage and sank east of the Bulgarian coast. Reports say the fate of the crew was unknown.
A fire broke out on board the other ship. The entire 18-member crew was forced to abandon the vessel and board a Bulgarian ferry nearby.
The rescued crew members were provided with first aid.
Radev is scheduled to make a statement at 11:15 local time (0815 GMT). ■
