Six missing after cargo ship sinks in Marmara Sea

ByTurkish Minute
February 15, 2024

A cargo vessel sank in the Marmara Sea near İstanbul on Thursday, officials said, adding that a search was underway to find the six missing crew members, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Batuhan A, which was bringing dry cargo from Balıkesir’s Marmara Island to Bursa in northwest Turkey, took on water and sank off İmralı island, south of İstanbul, the private DHA news agency reported.

Bursa governor Mahmut Demirtaş said authorities received an “emergency” signal from the vessel but then lost contact.

The transportation ministry said an empty life boat was found during the search.

“The rescue operation continues to find six crew members who are believed to be Turkish citizens,” Demirtaş told the private NTV television.

“The waves reach three meters. I think we will receive positive news as soon as possible in our search efforts,” he said.

Helicopters in the region could not take off because of bad weather