Two Turkish officers lost their lives in AMISOS: Confined space investigation in Italy Two Turkish officers lost their lives on the Maltese-flagged general
Two Turkish officers lost their lives in AMISOS: Confined space investigation in Italy
Two Turkish officers lost their lives on the Maltese-flagged general cargo ship named AMISOS, which was carrying a cargo of shredded tires from Germany to Turkey. It is considered that Osman Mete Kuru and Suat Arı may have been left without oxygen in a closed section they entered for control or maintenance purposes. The exact cause of death will be determined after the autopsy.
Turkish sailors Osman Mete Kuru and Suat Arı, who served on the Maltese-flagged general cargo ship named AMISOS, lost their lives while the ship was sailing from Germany to Turkey. The ship reported a medical emergency to Italy's Mazara del Vallo Port Authority on July 20. After the medical teams reached the ship, it was determined that two sailors lost their lives.
After the first intervention, AMISOS was taken to Trapani Port so that the examinations could be carried out under more favorable conditions. While the ship was placed under administrative surveillance at the Ronciglio dock, the Marsala Prosecutor's Office decided to perform an autopsy and conduct a technical examination on the ship.
According to initial evaluations, two officers entered a closed area, such as a warehouse or a vertical passage providing access to the warehouse, for control or maintenance purposes. It is considered that death may have resulted from anoxia caused by a decrease in oxygen levels to a critical level. However, this has not yet been confirmed by the autopsy and technical report.
It was reported that the ship was carrying shredded tires from Germany to Turkey. According to the assessment of Italian chemical experts, the metal parts in the tires may have oxidized under high humidity and consumed the oxygen in the closed area. However, the direct link of burden to death has not yet been proven; The load status, ventilation system and atmospheric measurements will be examined within the scope of the investigation.
According to IMO regulations, measuring oxygen, flammable gas, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide before entering closed spaces on ships; Hazards need to be identified, entry permits must be issued, ventilation and rescue plans must be kept ready. IMO states that failure to systematically identify hazards and implement appropriate entry procedures is still a significant cause of death in confined space accidents.
However, it cannot be said that any of these rules have been violated in AMISOS until the investigation is completed. The main topics to be examined are; These will be whether there is an entry permit, where and when the atmospheric measurement is taken, ventilation of the area, assignment of a lookout, personal gas measuring devices and whether rescue equipment is prepared.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
