A Turkish cargo ship named Kafkametler and its 12 crew members are reported missing in a storm off the northwest coast of Turkey, as confirmed by Turkish authorities on Sunday. The vessel issued a distress signal at 10:29 am, with the last signal received off the northwestern city of Eregli.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs stated that attempts to establish contact with the ship and its crew have been unsuccessful. Due to adverse weather conditions, reaching the vessel’s location or establishing close visual contact is currently impossible. Search and rescue operations, involving air and sea vehicles, will be initiated when weather conditions permit.
The cargo ship, carrying ferrosilicon from the Russian port of Temryuk to Aliaga in Turkey, had 12 crew members on board. The captain, in the final communication with authorities, reported that the ship was drifting towards a breakwater off Eregli.
Violent storms and strong winds swept through various parts of Turkey on Sunday, causing significant damage in the northwest, where two coastal towns experienced flooding. Another ship registered in Cameroon broke in two off the coast of Eregli due to violent waves, following the safe evacuation of its entire crew.
By AFP
