A fatal ship collision off the coast of Istanbul has left authorities searching for 10 missing crew members after a dry cargo vessel likely sank within minutes.
The incident occurred today (September 2, 2026) in the Sea of Marmara near Silivri, involving two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels. The empty tanker ALSU collided with the dry cargo ship Tuğberk İmamoğlu, which was transporting 4,199 tons of rolled steel.
According to the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the ALSU captain reported the impact at 03:41, stating it occurred around 03:15. A Cospas-Sarsat satellite distress signal from an emergency beacon confirmed the second vessel’s identity.
Emergency teams, including 14 marine units, a helicopter, and the ALSU, are currently scouring the area. Although the ship’s free-fall lifeboat and floating safety equipment have been recovered, all 10 crew members remain unaccounted for.
Minister Uraloğlu: 11-Minute Sinking Time Confirmed in Fatal Sea of Marmara Ship Collision
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has revealed critical new details regarding the ongoing search following the collision of two commercial vessels in the Sea of Marmara, confirming that the dry cargo ship Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank in just 11 minutes.
Speaking on the incident, Uraloğlu stated that the vessel carried an all-Turkish crew of 10, including the ship’s masters. An automated distress call was logged at 03:26, and authorities confirmed that the rapid sinking left the crew with no time to establish communication or be located alive.
Vessel Location at 950-Meter Depth
Official assessments indicate that the Tuğberk İmamoğlu is currently resting at an estimated depth of approximately 950 meters. Initial determinations from the Istanbul Governorship placed the sea depth at the accident site between 800 and 900 meters.
Air and Sea Search Operations
Multi-agency rescue efforts remain heavily concentrated around the impact zone near Silivri. The Istanbul Governorship deployed a comprehensive task force comprising:
- Coast Guard: 2 helicopters and 9 maritime units from the Marmara and Straits Regional Command.
- Coastal Safety: 3 specialized sea vehicles from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety.
- Support Vessels: The involved tanker ALSU alongside a peak deployment of 14 maritime search and rescue units at various stages of the operation.
While the ALSU sustained no visible structural damage and remains participating in search operations, rescue teams continue to comb the surface and surrounding waters by air and sea for the 10 missing seafarers. Investigations into the exact navigational failures and the cause of the rapid sinking are ongoing.
