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

Over 170 oil spills detected in the Bulgarian Black Sea waters

Photo: BTA

Over 170 spills of oil and marine fuel have been detected in the Bulgarian Black Sea waters over the past year, according to data from the non-governmental organizations Greenpeace – Bulgaria and SkyTruth. The total area of the detected spills is 819 sq. km, BTA reports.

The study was conducted from July 6, 2024 to June 26, 2025 using satellite data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1. Most often, the spills are due to discharged water contaminated with oil, marine fuel, chemicals and heavy metals, experts say. According to them, these are the waters that collect in the lowest part of the ships, where the engine room is located.

Greenpeace – Bulgaria draws attention to the fact that the spills reduce water quality, disrupt the food chain in the sea and pose a risk to animals. After the discoveries, the organization said that this country should abandon plans for gas and oil extraction in the Black Sea.

Editor: Diana Tsankova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photo: BTA



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

Cooler weather expected on Friday

During the night, the weather will be mostly clear with a light southerly wind. A cold atmospheric front will pass over the country on Friday. Winds will shift from the west-northwest and will strengthen. Cumulonimbus clouds will develop in..

published on 8/21/25 6:40 PM
Ivan Ivanov

More than 260,000 people in Bulgaria suffer from disrupted water supply

As of August 18, a total of 260 868 people, 16 cities and 283 villages have been affected by disrupted water supply, Minister of Regional Development Ivan Ivanov announced at an extraordinary meeting of a parliamentary committee that is discussing a..

published on 8/21/25 5:16 PM
Manol Genov

Manol Genov: We cannot speak of a critical water shortage

Currently, we cannot speak of a critical water shortage regarding drinking and domestic water supply, Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov said at an extraordinary meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Water discussing a..

published on 8/21/25 4:26 PM