Black Sea drone attacks leave 31 sailors dead or missing as trade halts

A sea drone struck the cargo ship HS Dignity just after 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 13, forcing the crew to abandon the sinking vessel in the Black Sea.

The attack is part of a widespread campaign that has killed or left missing at least 31 seafarers. Maritime analysts say nearly 50 commercial vessels have been hit this month, bringing traffic in the region to a near standstill.

The HS Dignity was traveling from Algeria to Romania to load grain when the first drone hit its hull. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh said the crew saw a boat approach in the dark, only to realize it was part of the attack group. A second drone rammed the ship before the lifeboats could be fully launched.

Mamdouh and four other crew members survived by swimming and clinging to a life raft for four hours until the vessel Azov Concord found them. Eleven crew members remain missing, including 18-year-old Hamza Suleiman, a Syrian sailor on his first voyage. His father, Basel, said his son had expressed fear after the ship Alfa Watan was hit on Oct. 6, which left ten of its crew unaccounted for.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged striking dozens of ships this month, stating the vessels supported Ukraine’s military. Data from maritime risk firm Ambrey indicates Russia was responsible for 40 of the 45 attacks recorded in October. The firm counts more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov this year.

NATO members are increasing security measures in response to strikes occurring in western waters near Bulgaria and Romania. On Oct. 16, a search and rescue operation was launched after a Comoros-flagged ship was hit outside Romanian territorial waters. One body was recovered and three crew members remain missing from that incident. Romanian President Nicușor Dan attributed the recent strikes to Russia.

Shipping companies are pausing operations to protect their crews and assets. Turkey-based ED Shipping has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels, according to chief financial officer Demre İşcen. The company reports losing millions of dollars each month due to the halt in traffic. The Philippine government has also barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea.

Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., said at least 18 Syrian seafarers have been killed. The surviving crew members of the HS Dignity are currently waiting in Bulgaria for new documents to return home.