Syria has asked Bulgarian authorities and the International Maritime Organization to conduct an independent investigation into the sinking of the ALFA WATAN, according to Syrian General Directorate of Borders and Customs representative Mazen Alloush, while the wreck lies at a depth beyond the current underwater inspection capabilities cited.

Alloush told Agence France-Presse that Damascus wants an investigation to establish what happened to the vessel and determine why the search and rescue operation was stopped.

“The crew consisted of ten sailors, nine Syrians and one Egyptian, whose fate remains unknown,” Alloush said.

Nine Syrian sailors are still missing after the ALFA WATAN sank, Alloush announced, as cited by BTA. The Syrian Seafarers’ Union said contact with the crew had been lost and that no survivors had been found.

Syria has also asked Bulgarian authorities to disclose the reasons for ending the search and rescue operation within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.

According to data published by Maritime.bg, the damaged ALFA WATAN lies at an estimated depth of around 2,000 meters. The Bulgarian government has said an underwater examination of the wreck could potentially be carried out with assistance from partners including the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and NATO, the specialized media outlet reported.

EMSA currently has the capacity to conduct underwater inspections at depths of about 1,500 meters with remotely operated underwater vehicles, an agency source told Maritime.bg.

It remains unclear whether the other vessel involved in the incident, the ABLE, has sunk or is still drifting, Maritime.bg reported. No merchant vessels traveling through the area have reported receiving information about the ship.

Maritime.bg said the multi-purpose frigate Verni is sailing toward the area where the two merchant vessels were struck to survey the site.

The European Commission is providing Bulgaria and Romania with satellite data concerning the attacks in the Black Sea. EMSA has also indicated that it is ready to examine recovered debris free of charge.

The Syrian authorities’ request comes after the search for the crew of the ALFA WATAN was called off.

Syrian citizens have posted photographs and messages on social media mourning relatives they believe died at sea. Among them is Walaa Melhem, who said her brother Tarek was among those lost, while Yasmin Merei shared a photograph of her 26-year-old nephew Raed, who worked as a cook aboard the sunken vessel.

The Consultative Council for National Security (CCNS) has said Bulgaria should pursue joint action with Romania and Turkey over security in the Black Sea.