A drone-damaged tanker flying Ghana's flag dropped anchor near Ahtopol after getting hit in the Bosphorus earlier this week, and rough seas are blocking Bulgarian officials from boarding the vessel. The empty ship called Kairos holds 10 crew members who are doing fine with three days of supplies, but the captain is missing from the boat. Authorities lost radio contact at first before the crew started responding to messages.
Turkish tugboats were dragging the tanker before it ended up in Bulgarian waters about 700 meters offshore. Weather conditions feature massive waves and 15-meter-per-second winds that keep helicopters grounded, but rescuers plan to deliver gear and food once the storms calm down. A Chinese company owns the vessel, and officials are trying to reach them.
Locals worry the tanker could smash into rocks and leak fuel despite claims the ship carries no oil cargo. Bulgarian border police are watching with thermal cameras while talks continue with Turkey about why the damaged vessel wound up in their territory.
Turkish tugboats were dragging the tanker before it ended up in Bulgarian waters about 700 meters offshore. Weather conditions feature massive waves and 15-meter-per-second winds that keep helicopters grounded, but rescuers plan to deliver gear and food once the storms calm down. A Chinese company owns the vessel, and officials are trying to reach them.
Locals worry the tanker could smash into rocks and leak fuel despite claims the ship carries no oil cargo. Bulgarian border police are watching with thermal cameras while talks continue with Turkey about why the damaged vessel wound up in their territory.
