10 Missing After Cargo Ship Sinks in Sea of Marmara

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Istanbul: Two crew members of an oil tanker have been arrested over a collision in the Sea of Marmara that left a cargo ship sunk and all 10 of its crew missing, Turkish prosecutors said.

The empty tanker ALSU collided with the Tugberk Imamoglu, which was carrying rolled steel, before dawn on Thursday near Istanbul. The cargo ship sank rapidly in waters about 900 metres deep, around 18 nautical miles off Silivri.

A Silivri court ordered the tanker’s captain, identified as A.E., and its third captain and watch officer, M.E., to be arrested on charges of negligent homicide. Prosecutors said both had failed to meet navigational safety requirements and take timely steps to prevent the collision.

A marine accident report seen by AFP identified serious safety failures aboard the tanker. It said an inexperienced third officer was alone on the bridge and that no lookout or helmsman was on duty.

The report also identified safety shortcomings on the cargo vessel.

Search and rescue teams continued operations on Friday but had not reached the wreckage or recovered the vessel's voyage data recorder, or black box.

Prosecutors have begun legal proceedings against nine of the tanker's 10 crew members. Six appeared in court on Thursday, while four other suspects were granted conditional release.

Pic Credit: AFP