Nightmare on the Black Sea. A Turkish cargo ship has vanished
A Turkish cargo ship vanished off the Black Sea coast. Twelve people were onboard at the time of the ship's disappearance. The Turkish minister has reported that the ship struck a breakwater. Contact with the crew members has still not been established.
6:51 AM EST, November 20, 2023
The Turkish cargo ship carrying 12 crew members disappeared this Sunday during a storm off the coast of the Black Sea. Since then, the authorities have been unable to communicate with Kafkametler, reports the Reuters news agency. The captain of "Kafkametler", sailing under the Turkish flag, said on Sunday morning that the vessel was drifting towards a breakwater near Eregli, in the Zonguldak province of Northwestern Turkey.
Turkey's Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, reported that the ship lost contact soon after leaving the port in the city of Ereğli in Zonguldak province. It then hit the breakwater and sank, according to reports by the Turkish daily BirGun. The politician further added that communication with the 12-member crew is still missing.
"Kafkametler", a dry cargo ship sailing under the Turkish flag, left the port intent on reaching Izmir, but adverse weather and sea conditions led to its collision with the breakwater and its subsequent sinking. Contact with the 12-member, Turkish crew of the ship has still not been established," stated the minister, as quoted by Turkish media.
Ali Yerlikaya added that the Coast Guard, Navy, police, and gendarmerie, along with other officials, have been put on standby. They will initiate search and rescue operations immediately when the weather conditions improve. This Sunday, the region was struck by powerful storms.
