The cargo ship CHELSEA 3, hit by drones in the Black Sea, has been towed into the port of Burgas. Transport minister Georgi Peev told reporters the tow succeeded on the second attempt.

This story follows our earlier report on the drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea, which prime minister Rumen Radev announced on 13 October.

Peev called the operation a rescue, unprecedented and carried out in bad weather. The main phase began last night at 8.25pm, and the ministry is pleased with the result.

The ministry and the Maritime Administration in Burgas are leading the tow, with the navy and border police taking part. The minister thanked captain Zhivko Petrov, who ran the operation.

"As the Ministry of Transport, we are responsible for making sure drifting ships that nobody controls are not left in our sea," Peev said. He said that is why everything was done to bring the ship to Burgas.

Yesterday the Military District Prosecutor's Office in Sofia opened pre-trial proceedings after a report of alleged crimes linked to CHELSEA 3 in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.

The ship sails under the Maltese flag. It was hit 17 nautical miles east of Byala. All 15 crew members were rescued.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity also sank 17 nautical miles east of Shabla after a drone hit it.