[REVISION HISTORY]

Maritime accidents and search operations in Turkey

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-06 09:40 UTC → 2026-09-08 13:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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, and the status~~ found. The families of the ~~10-person~~ 10 missing crew ~~remains unknown.~~ 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 as authorities investigate potential breaches of safety protocols.~~ detained.

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