A cargo ship sank in the Marmara Sea near Istanbul after colliding with another vessel, leaving 10 crew members missing, Turkish officials said Wednesday.
The accident occurred before dawn when the empty oil tanker ALSU collided with the Tugberk Imamoglu, a cargo ship carrying rolled steel. The maritime directorate said the cargo vessel sank shortly after the collision.
Search Operation Underway
The collision took place around 18 nautical miles off Silivri, on the western edge of Istanbul province, according to the governor’s office. Authorities launched a major search and rescue operation after the Tugberk Imamoglu stopped responding to calls and its crew members failed to answer their mobile phones.
The ALSU captain reported the collision at 3:15am local time. In response, 14 search and rescue vessels were dispatched to the area, supported by a helicopter.
Officials said lifesaving equipment, including a lifeboat from the Tugberk Imamoglu, was found floating at sea. However, none of the 10 crew members were found inside the equipment.
The damaged ALSU has also joined the search operation, according to the maritime directorate.
Cargo Ship Was Carrying Steel
At the time of the accident, the Tugberk Imamoglu was carrying approximately 4,200 tonnes of rolled sheet metal. Officials initially reported that the ALSU was transporting 3,000 tonnes of motor oil, but later clarified that the tanker was empty.
Authorities continue to search the surrounding waters for the missing crew members while investigating the circumstances of the collision.
The incident comes just three days after a deadly ferry accident off Northern Cyprus that killed eight Turkish nationals. Rescuers were still searching for 20 people reported missing following that incident.
