Ukrainian cargo ship sinks off Bulgaria after hull breach
Three countries took part in saving the crew (illustrative photo) (Photo: REUTERS/Jon Nazca)
Ukrainian EILEEN cargo ship sank off the coast of Bulgaria on Oct. 12, all ten crew members — Ukrainian nationals — were rescued by Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye coordinated effort, Maritime wrote on Oct. 13.
The incident occurred about 140 nautical miles east of the city of Varna, Bulgaria. At roughly 1:00 p.m. the EILEEN sent a distress signal after a hull breach was discovered and the vessel began taking on water rapidly.
Rescue forces from three countries responded: a Bulgarian border patrol boat, a Romanian ship, a Turkish support vessel and a Bulgarian Navy helicopter. Turkish vessel crews from the MURAT ILHAN, which was operating near the Sakarya gas field, were the first to find the Ukrainian mariners on liferafts and brought all ten aboard. Their condition has been reported as satisfactory.
Preliminary information indicated the EILEEN — owned by a Ukrainian company — is more than 30 years old. In 2025 the ship underwent technical inspections three times at different ports; the most recent inspection in Izmail reported several technical issues. Specialists are now investigating the cause of the accident.
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