Samsun authorities investigate suspicious white powder on coastline

Authorities in Samsun, Turkey, have launched an investigation after a suspicious white powder was discovered in various locations along the coastline, including Atakum, Çarşamba, and Terme. The substance, found in sacks and appearing as a powder or foam-like material, was reported by citizens in the İncesu Yalı neighborhood.

Emergency response teams, including AFAD, the Coast Guard, and the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, were deployed to the scene. Initial radiation measurements conducted by AFAD did not detect any dangerous radioactive elements. However, officials are investigating the possibility that the substance could be ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in fertilizer production.

Samples have been collected and sent to TÜBİTAK in Istanbul for detailed laboratory analysis to determine the exact chemical composition and assess potential risks to human health and the environment. Coast Guard teams are currently reviewing maritime traffic to identify the source of the material and determine how it entered the sea.