Daijiworld Media Network – Istanbul

Istanbul, Sep 2: Two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels collided off the coast of Istanbul’s Silivri district early Wednesday, following which authorities lost contact with one of the ships and its 10 crew members, officials said.

The collision occurred around 3 am local time, about 18 nautical miles south of Silivri, when the Turkish-flagged Alsu, sailing from Kocaeli to Aliaga, collided with the Tugberk Imamoglu, which was travelling from Iskenderun Port to Karadeniz Eregli, Anadolu News Agency reported, citing the Istanbul Governor’s Office.

Following the incident, vessels from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and the Coast Guard Marmara and Straits Command, along with a Coast Guard helicopter, were deployed to the area to launch search and rescue operations.

Initial assessments indicated that the Alsu had suffered no visible damage. However, authorities have so far been unable to establish contact with the Tugberk Imamoglu or its 10 crew members.

Search and rescue operations are continuing in the area.

The collision occurred in the Turkish Straits, a strategic waterway system comprising the Istanbul and Canakkale Straits and the Marmara Sea, which connects the Black Sea with the Mediterranean.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the Straits as being of major economic and military importance to Turkiye and the Black Sea countries. The waterways are also considered among the world's most challenging for navigation due to strong currents, sharp turns and unpredictable weather conditions.

The Istanbul Strait passes through Istanbul, a city of more than 15 million people with a history spanning around 3,000 years, according to the ministry.