Turkiye launches search after cargo vessels collide off Istanbul

Turkiye has launched a search and rescue operation after two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels collided in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul. Authorities said contact was lost with 10 crew members aboard one of the ships after the incident, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday. The collision happened south of Silivri, a suburb on the western edge of Istanbul, and prompted an immediate response from the coastguard.

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The Istanbul governor's office said the collision occurred at about 3am local time, or 00:00 GMT, more than 20 miles, or 32 kilometres, south of Silivri. It said contact was lost with the crew of the Tugberk Imamoglu after the collision with the Turkish-flagged Alsu. The Alsu appeared undamaged, according to the statement.

Authorities also said numerous naval units from the coastguard's Marmara and Bosphorus Command and a coastguard helicopter were dispatched to the scene. The search is focused on the area where the vessels collided, with coastguard units working to locate the missing crew. The loss of contact with 10 people aboard a commercial ship makes the incident a serious maritime emergency, even though no casualties have yet been confirmed.

The deployment of both surface units and a helicopter suggests officials are treating the case as an active rescue operation rather than a routine inspection. The Marmara Sea is a heavily used waterway linking the Black Sea and the Aegean through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles routes, making it one of the most sensitive maritime corridors near Istanbul. Any collision in this area can quickly affect shipping traffic, port operations and emergency response resources.

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The incident also highlights the risks faced by commercial vessels operating close to one of Turkiye's busiest urban and industrial centres. Commercial shipping is central to the region's economy, and the waters around Istanbul carry frequent traffic between domestic and international routes. In such conditions, even a single collision can have wider implications for navigation safety and search and rescue coordination.

The governor's office has not said what caused the collision, and there has been no confirmation yet about the condition of the missing crew. It remains unclear whether the crew members are aboard the vessel, in the water, or have been reached by rescuers. Authorities have not reported any injuries or pollution, and they have not said how long the search will continue.

The key developments to watch are whether contact is restored with the Tugberk Imamoglu, whether the missing crew are found, and whether officials identify a cause for the collision.

#Turkiye #Istanbul #MarmaraSea #coastguard #cargoshipcollision

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