A huge cargo ship has run aground off the Bulgarian coast and the authorities have accused the Turkish crew of either sleeping or boozing and failing to change its course.
The Vera Su, a cargo ship owned by the Turkish company Kamer Shipping and flying under the Panamanian flag, ran aground near the village of Kamen Bryag in the north-eastern Bulgarian province of Dobrich in the early hours of Monday.
Rumen Nikolov of the Executive Agency Maritime Administration said the vessel did not change course as it approached the coast and eventually ran aground, blaming the crew and questioning whether they were asleep or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Kamer Shipping has yet to comment on the incident.
On 20th September, the Dobrich District Prosecutor’s Office announced that they were starting an investigation into the causes of the incident.
The cargo ship flies the Panamanian flag and was transporting fertiliser from the Ukraine to Port Varna, the largest seaport complex in Bulgaria.
All of the nine-member crew are Turkish citizens and no one was reported as injured.
The cargo ship has 20 tons of fuel, but so far no leak or risk has been identified.
According to reports, the ship’s hull was damaged, but no oil spill occurred.
Meanwhile, Nikolov assured that the cargo of fertiliser also does not pose a risk to the environment.
Before starting the operation to tow the ship to safety for repairs, an inspection will be carried out by divers. The area of the incident was cordoned off by border guards.
Nikolov was adamant that the Bulgarian state would not bear any of the costs of the operation.
A cargo ship ran aground near Kamen Bryag, Bulgaria. 
A cargo ship ran aground near Kamen Bryag, Bulgaria.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: James King, Agency: Newsflash
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