An investigation has been launched into the collision of two Turkish vessels in the Marmara Sea, resulting in the disappearance of 10 crew members.
Investigation Underway Following Collision of Two Turkish Vessels in Marmara Sea
An investigation has been initiated by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the collision of two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels in the Marmara Sea, which resulted in the disappearance of 10 crew members.
The accident occurred on September 2, 2026, around 03:00, approximately 18 nautical miles south of Silivri. According to the information obtained, the commercial vessels ALSU, sailing from Kocaeli to Aliağa, and TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU, en route from İskenderun Port to Karadeniz Ereğli, collided.
Following the collision, no visible damage was detected on ALSU, while communication with TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU was lost. The vessel is presumed to have sunk, and the 10-member crew on board has not yet been reached. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the area with maritime and aerial assets.
Prosecutor's Office Initiates Investigation
The Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office immediately launched an investigation to clarify all aspects of the incident following the accident. The investigation is expected to examine the cause of the accident, the navigation statuses of the vessels, and the accountability aspects of the incident.
Teams from the Istanbul Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Coast Guard, Naval Forces Command, and Coastal Safety have been dispatched to the accident area. Numerous maritime vessels and aerial units are participating in the search and rescue efforts.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated in a press release that TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU is assessed to have sunk approximately 11 minutes after the collision, and that no news has yet been received regarding the 10 Turkish sailors on board.
News Summary: It is believed that TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU sank as a result of the collision between two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels off the coast of Silivri. While the 10 crew members on board have not been reached, an investigation has been initiated by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to determine the cause of the accident. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
