Syria calls for independent probe into sinking of ship in Black Sea

What the report says

Syria is asking for an independent, transparent investigation into the sinking of the Togolese-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan in the Black Sea, after 10 crew members were left unaccounted for. According to Al Jazeera, the vessel went down early Tuesday in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. The missing crew include nine Syrians and one Egyptian.

Syrian port official Mazen Aloush questioned why search and rescue efforts were stopped before the sailors’ fate was known, and said the authorities want the International Maritime Organization and Bulgarian officials to help determine what happened. The Syrian sailors’ union said it had lost contact with the crew and that no survivors were found after the search was halted. Aloush said the wreck should be examined using available technical means to help establish the cause of the sinking.

The incident comes amid increased attacks on shipping in the Black Sea during the Russia-Ukraine war. Al Jazeera reported that another vessel, the Palau-flagged Able, was also hit in the same attack and caught fire, though its 18 Turkish and Indian crew members were rescued. The source said it was unclear who carried out the attack. Syria said the targeting of a civilian commercial ship was a serious threat to maritime safety and called for stronger protections for commercial shipping.