Stranded Tanker Off Bulgarian Coast Shows No Signs of Leakage, Officials Say

Jerusalem, 10 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Ahtopol, on the Black Sea (BTA) – There is no pollution from oil products due to the stranded tanker near Ahtopol, Bulgaria’s Environment and Water Ministry said on Wednesday.

The Black Sea Region Basin Directorate in Varna had taken samples of the sea water between Sozopol and Rezovo, which provided data on the state of the sea water. The results of the emergency monitoring of the sea waters near Ahtopol do not show values ​​above the limits, and neither the presence of oil products, polychlorobiphenyls, benzene nor ethylbenzene has been detected, the Ministry said.

On Friday, the Gambian-flagged Kairos with a ten-member crew ran aground off the coast of Ahtopol. Afterwards Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov met with Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Uyanik to request clarification from Turkey regarding the entry of the oil tanker in Bulgarian waters.

The Chinese-owned Kairos is empty of cargo and is located about 700-800 metres off the coast of Ahtopol. Seven crew members have been evacuated while three remain aboard.

The Ministry added that it will continue to monitor for potential pollution in the Black Sea after the attacks on merchant ships.