Turkish authorities are searching for the 10-member crew of the cargo ship Tuğberk İmamoğlu following an overnight collision with the tanker Alsu off Istanbul. Officials believe the cargo vessel sank, while repeated attempts to contact those on board have failed.
Life-saving equipment found empty
Life-saving equipment belonging to the Tuğberk İmamoğlu, including a free-fall lifeboat, was found floating on the surface. None of the missing sailors was found inside.
The collision occurred at around 03:15 on Wednesday, approximately 18 nautical miles, or 35 kilometres, off Silivri.
Cargo ships collided before distress signal
According to Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, the Alsu was carrying 2,999 tonnes of lubricant from Kocaeli to Aliağa.
The Tuğberk İmamoğlu was transporting 4,199 tonnes of rolled steel sheets from İskenderun to Karadeniz Ereğli.
At 03:26, a distress signal from the cargo ship’s emergency position-indicating radio beacon was received through the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite search-and-rescue system.
At 03:41, the captain of the Alsu informed maritime traffic services that the tanker had collided at around 03:15 with a vessel whose identity was unknown at the time.
Authorities repeatedly attempted to contact the Tuğberk İmamoğlu without success. Calls to the crew members’ mobile phones also went unanswered.
“It is believed that the cargo ship Tuğberk İmamoğlu has sunk,” the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said.
Officials also confirmed that the vessel’s Automatic Identification System was not transmitting a signal when the collision occurred.
Search continues in deep waters
According to the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the sea is approximately 800 to 900 metres deep at the collision site, significantly complicating the operation.
Turkish Coast Guard and coastal safety teams are searching the area with 14 vessels and a helicopter. The Alsu is also participating in the operation.
Search-and-rescue efforts are continuing for the 10 missing sailors.
Source: CNA
