The cargo ship 'Asomatos' was attacked by drones in Russian waters, resulting in one crew member's death. It has since docked in Istanbul.
A Panama-flagged commercial vessel named 'Asomatos' was subjected to numerous drone attacks in Russian territorial waters on July 16-17. One Indonesian crew member lost their life in the attack. The ship later entered Turkish territorial waters and anchored off Istanbul. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation.
The bulk carrier ASOMATOS, which was targeted by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Russian territorial waters, entered Turkish waters after the attack and anchored off the coast of Istanbul. An Indonesian crew member lost their life in the incident, and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an ex officio investigation regarding the matter.
According to a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the ship was targeted by consecutive drone attacks while waiting to load off the coast of Russia's Caucasus region on July 16. Initial findings indicate that three different unmanned aerial vehicles struck the vessel. The attacks caused significant damage to the ship's starboard side, living quarters, and the third cargo crane.
During the attack, an Indonesian sailor on board lost their life. Following instructions from the Russian traffic control center, ASOMATOS continued its voyage and entered Turkish waters on July 17, anchoring off the coast of Kısırkaya in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul. Upon the Coast Guard Command reporting the situation to the prosecutor's office, an investigation was initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The public prosecutor and forensic investigation teams boarded the ship via sea to conduct a detailed examination. While evidence was collected, the body of the deceased sailor was handed over to judicial authorities for autopsy procedures. The prosecutor's office reported that all aspects of the attack are being investigated and that criminal examinations on the ship are ongoing.
Initial examinations revealed that there were 24 people on board the ship. The crew consisted of 14 Indonesians, 4 Egyptians, 3 Greek nationals, and 3 Russian port officials. It was stated that no malfunctions that would impede navigation were found in the ship's machinery systems, which was carrying approximately 4,751 tons of wheat.
Recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea are raising security concerns in the international maritime sector. In June, other Panama-flagged commercial vessels were also targeted by drone attacks, resulting in casualties and injuries. Experts emphasize that the effects of the war are increasingly heightening the risks associated with commercial maritime transportation.
It is expected that the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will be expanded after the completion of technical examinations regarding the perpetrators of the attack, the international legal dimensions of the incident, and the extent of the damage sustained by the ship.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
