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4 clusters · 147 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Maritime accidents and search operations in Turkey

Overview

On September 2, 2026, the Turkish-flagged cargo vessel Tuğberk İmamoğlu, carrying 4,199 tons of steel, collided with the tanker Alsu in the Sea of Marmara near Silivri. The Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank within 11 minutes, leaving 10 crew members missing.

Preliminary investigations cited severe bridge discipline failures on both ships. On the Alsu, Captain Ahmet Erarslan was reportedly sleeping during the impact, leaving the bridge under the sole supervision of third captain Murat Evciman, who had joined the vessel only one day prior. The Alsu also lacked lookouts or helmsmen. The Tuğberk İmamoğlu was found to have malfunctioning or improperly configured AIS data and performed an unexpected starboard maneuver in the final 0.5 nautical miles, which investigators described as the “active trigger” for the collision.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense confirmed the wreckage of the Tuğberk İmamoğlu has been located at a depth of approximately 720 to 1,000 meters, specifically identified at 720 meters about 18 miles south of Silivri. Search operations are being conducted by the Turkish Navy’s TCG Akın using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), which has successfully captured images of the ship’s name on the seabed.

A multi-agency search and rescue effort involving the Navy, Coast Guard, AFAD, and Kızılay is ongoing. As of September 8, operations have entered their seventh day. Technicians are utilizing advanced sonar systems and ROVs, with officials evaluating the possibility of using a specialized system to raise the vessel’s living quarters to search for survivors. While one life raft has been recovered, no survivors have been found. The families of the 10 missing crew members remain gathered at a crisis center in Silivri. Following the incident, the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office arrested Captains Erarslan and Evciman, and nine crew members from the tanker Alsu have been detained.

Entities

Tuğberk İmamoğlu · Silivri · Alsu · Marmara Sea · Antalya NAVTEX Station

Claims

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Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Silivri search continues for 10 missing crew after ship collision

    Search efforts continue for 10 missing crew members after the Tuğberk İmamoğlu cargo ship sank following a collision with the vessel Alsu off the coast of Silivri, Turkey.

  2. 6 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Tuğberk İmamoğlu wreck located in Marmara Sea after collision

    The wreck of the Tuğberk İmamoğlu has been found 720 meters deep in the Marmara Sea following a collision with the tanker MT Alsu. Search efforts for 10 missing crew members continue.

  3. 8 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 49 sources
    Ship collision near Silivri sinks Tuğberk İmamoğlu

    Two captains have been arrested following a collision in the Sea of Marmara that sank the Tuğberk İmamoğlu. Experts cite bridge discipline failures and missing lookouts as key causes.

  4. 10 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 123 sources
    Tuğberk İmamoğlu cargo ship sinks after Marmara Sea collision

    A Turkish cargo ship, Tuğberk İmamoğlu, is believed to have sunk after colliding with the tanker Alsu in the Sea of Marmara. Search operations continue for 10 missing crew members near Silivri.

Sources

1001infos.net · aksam.com.tr · aksiyon.com.tr · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · apach57.fr · archive.in.gr · artigercek.com · athina984.gr · avrupagazete.co.uk · aydinlik.com.tr · barefootlax.com · baskentgazete.com.tr · benguturk.com · beyazgazete.com · bokanews.me · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · businessdaily.gr · capital.gr · cash.ch · columbusalive.com · cretaone.gr · cumhuriyet.com.tr · denizhaber.com · detaykibris.com · dijigazete.net · diken.com.tr · dimokratiki.gr · diyaloggazetesi.com · dokuz8haber.net · e-radio.gr · enikos.gr · entrevue.fr · euronews.net · f5haber.com · filmrakat.hu · g4media.ro · gazetearena.com · gazetedamga.com.tr · gazeteilksayfa.com · gazetemerhaba.com · gazetepencere.com · gazeteyenisoz.com · gercekgundem.com · giynikgazetesi.com · gunaydingazetesi.com.tr · gundemkibris.com · guneydoguekspres.com · gzt.com

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history