A drifting mine surfaced near the Georgian shore and detonated off Batumi on the Black Sea. The incident was reported by the television channel Rustavi 2, which described the event as taking place relatively close to the coast, roughly 25 meters from the shoreline. Authorities responded promptly, and law enforcement officers were present at the scene to secure the area and assess any further risk. There were no reported casualties, and the situation remained under careful monitoring as investigations continued.
The report also notes a pattern of maritime hazards in the region, with earlier operations involving the Bulgarian Navy where divers neutralized a floating sea mine not far from Bulgaria’s coast. Military officials indicated that on January 23, the governor of Dobrich region received information about a floating object resembling a mine and alerted Navy headquarters to coordinate a response. The incident highlighted the ongoing tension in the western Black Sea and the need for continued vigilance by coastal authorities and naval units.
In related developments from late 2022, a fishing vessel encountered trouble after colliding with a drifting mine off the Turkish coast. The event occurred near the Kırklareli province on the European side of Turkey, underscoring the widespread nature of mine risks in the sea lanes that connect the region. Turkey has since maintained heightened maritime security measures to prevent further incidents and to safeguard commercial and civilian maritime traffic.
Around the same period, Turkish media outlets reported that the Bosphorus Strait was under intensified monitoring due to drifting mines, a situation that prompted defense and naval authorities to implement additional controls. These actions reflect a broader regional effort to manage the mine threat in the Black Sea, a waterway that carries significant strategic and economic importance for neighboring countries and international shipping alike. Officials stressed the importance of coordinated detection, rapid response, and the continuous exchange of information among sea patrols, coast guards, and regional navies to minimize risk and ensure safer coastal waters for fishing, tourism, and commercial navigation.
Overall, authorities in Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey have been actively addressing the mine risk by increasing patrols, conducting mine clearance operations, and sharing intelligence with partner nations. The public is advised to stay informed through official briefings and to follow any safety instructions issued by local authorities when navigating coastal areas or approaching areas known to be affected by drifting mines. In this ongoing effort, the resilience of the Black Sea littoral states and their allied partners remains a key factor in maintaining maritime safety and regional stability. (Citations: Rustavi 2; Bulgarian Navy; Turkish Armed Forces; Milliyet; regional naval authorities)