Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Kidnapped Bulgarian sailors in Yemen are alive and well, they are kept on land

Satellite image of Galaxy Leader
Photo: AP/BTA

The Bulgarian sailors kidnapped by Yemen’s Houthis are not on board the "Galaxy Leader" anymore. This was what Ahmed Shamar, Charge d'Affairs of the Yemeni Embassy in Sofia, has told "Nova TV". Now the ship has been turned by the Houthis into a tourist attraction.

"Galaxy Leader" was hijacked 2 months ago. Since then, rebels have attacked 36 merchant ships off the coast of Yemen in a show of support for the Palestinians. The diplomat did not predict when and in exchange for what the Bulgarians would be able to return to their country. "We have the same information as the Bulgarian authorities that the sailors are fine, that they are treated well and there is no danger for their lives. But we don't know exactly where they are kept. According to me, the solution can be sought in serious and effective EU pressure on the Houthis. There is no other way," the Yemeni diplomat said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The number of foreign students in Bulgarian universities is growing

More and more foreign students have been choosing Bulgarian universities and higher education institutions in recent years,  the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reports. The increased interest is due not only to the tuition fees, but also to the quality of..

published on 6/18/25 4:01 PM

EC initiates penalty proceedings against Bulgaria over drinking water regulations, noise pollution

The European Commission has opened penalty proceedings against five countries, including Bulgaria, for incorrectly implementing changes to European drinking water regulations, BTA reports. The countries were supposed to implement the amended..

published on 6/18/25 3:49 PM
Tourism minister Miroslav Borshosh

Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism reports the best winter season with over 2 million registered tourists

This year, Bulgaria had the best winter season, Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh said at a briefing, referring to data for the first four months, BTA reported. For the first time, over 2 million tourist registrations were made – 6.4% more..

published on 6/18/25 2:23 PM