Bulgarian maritime authorities warn about containers carrying hazardous substances that fell into the Black Sea

More than 20 containers carrying gases, flammable liquids, and other hazardous substances are still floating in the Black Sea, near the Bulgarian coast, after the container ship CONTSHIP JET was attacked on Wednesday by three maritime drones.

The containers fell into the sea after the vessel listed heavily. They were located southeast of Cape Kaliakra, approximately 60 kilometers from the border with Romania, and the Bulgarian maritime authorities are maintaining the warning for mariners. The objects may be difficult to spot, especially at night or in rough seas, but navigation has not been prohibited in the area.

The authorities are checking whether the cargo being transported caused the water pollution. Initial inspections found no visible traces of oil or other contamination, and the samples are to be analyzed in a laboratory.

CONTSHIP JET, sailing under the Liberian flag, had departed from Haifa for Constanța and was carrying 421 containers. The vessel was struck approximately 30 kilometers from Cape Kaliakra, outside Bulgarian territorial waters, and then remained adrift.

The 18 crew members were rescued by the Bulgarian Navy and Border Police and arrived in Varna on Wednesday evening. The vessel is the fifth to be attacked in the past month in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. The investigation continues.