Two ships collide in Istanbul: 10 crew members missing

Two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels have collided off the coast of Istanbul’s Silivri district, TodayPress TV reports.

Local media reported that contact was lost with the 10-member crew following the accident.

The incident occurred at around 03:00 on the night of September 2, approximately 18 nautical miles south of the Silivri coast.

The “ALSU,” sailing from Kocaeli to Aliağa, collided for an unknown reason with the “TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU,” which was en route from the Port of İskenderun to Ereğli on the Black Sea coast.

Following the incident, numerous vessels and helicopters belonging to the Turkish Coast Guard and the Marmara and Straits Command were dispatched to the area.

According to preliminary information, no serious visible damage was detected on the “ALSU.” However, contact could not be established with the “TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU” or its 10-member crew.

A large-scale search and rescue operation by sea and air is currently underway to locate the missing vessel and its crew members.

Turkan Iskandarli