Two Commercial Ships Collide in Sea of Marmara, Bulk Carrier Sinks with 10 Missing
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Ankara: Maritime safety authorities have launched an urgent, large-scale search and rescue operation following a catastrophic collision between two commercial vessels in Turkish waters. The violent maritime incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, resulting in one of the ships sinking and leaving ten crew members unaccounted for. Emergency response teams have mobilized extensive naval and aerial assets to scour the impact zone as rescue operations intensify.
Head-On Collision Near Istanbul Waters
According to official updates from Turkish maritime authorities, the accident took place around 3:00 AM local time near the Silivri district in the Sea of Marmara. The collision involved two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels: the chemical tanker Alsu, which was transporting approximately 3,000 tonnes of engine oil toward the Aegean Sea port of Aliağa, and the bulk carrier Tugberk Imamoglu, loaded with 4,200 tonnes of coiled steel and heading toward the Black Sea port of Karadenizregli. The two vessels collided head-on under circumstances currently being investigated by marine safety inspectors.
Bulk Carrier Sinks with Ten Crew Members Missing
Emergency protocols were triggered when Turkey's Maritime Affairs Authority received a distress signal from the Tugberk Imamoglu at 3:26 AM, followed shortly by an incident report from the captain of the Alsu. While the chemical tanker Alsu sustained manageable structural impacts without suffering major hull breaches or oil leakage, the situation aboard the bulk carrier proved far more critical. All subsequent radio transmissions and mobile communication attempts with the Tugberk Imamoglu have yielded no response, leading maritime authorities to confirm that the ship has likely sunk. Ten crew members aboard the bulk carrier are currently reported missing.
Massive Search and Rescue Operation Underway
Responding swiftly to the emergency, the Istanbul Governor’s Office and the Turkish Coast Guard deployed an extensive rescue armada comprising 14 coast guard vessels and a specialized search-and-rescue helicopter. Operating around the clock, rescue teams are combing the rough waters of the Sea of Marmara to locate the missing sailors. Meanwhile, maritime commercial registries note that the sunken tug is owned by Imamoglu Zebe Denizcilik, while the Alsu is operated by Ozpulathane Deniz Tasimaciligi. As investigators work to determine the exact navigational failure leading to the crash, the primary focus remains on saving lives amid the ongoing search operations.
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