Cargo Ship Sinks After Collision in the Sea of Marmara, 10 Crew Members Missing

Ten sailors are missing after the cargo ship “Tugberk İmamoglu” sank in the Sea of Marmara following a collision with another vessel near Istanbul.

The collision occurred at around 03:00, approximately 32 kilometers south of Silivri, a suburb of Istanbul. According to the authorities, the Turkish-flagged vessel “Alsu,” which was involved in the accident, showed no visible damage.

Following the incident, the authorities lost contact with the crew of the “Tugberk İmamoglu.” A lifeboat and other parts of the cargo ship have been found in the area, but so far there has been no sign of those who were on board.

The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs announced that the ship is believed to have sunk after failing to respond to communications. The crew members’ phones were also found to be switched off or went unanswered.

Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said there were ten sailors on board, including the captain, and that all were Turkish citizens. The 90-meter-long ship had departed from the Mediterranean port of Iskenderun and was bound for Ereğli in the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, the 91-meter-long “Alsu” was sailing from Kocaeli toward Aliağa on the Aegean coast.