Search and rescue efforts for the 10 crew members aboard the Tuğberk Imamoğlu cargo ship continue for their 12th day after the vessel sank following a collision with the Alsu commercial vessel approximately 18 nautical miles south of Istanbul’s Silivri district on Sept. 2.

The Turkish-flagged Alsu commercial vessel, sailing from Kocaeli province in northwestern Türkiye to Aliağa in western Izmir province, collided with the Tuğberk Imamoğlu commercial vessel, which was traveling from Iskenderun Port in southern Hatay province to Karadeniz Ereğli in the Black Sea province of Zonguldak.

The Tuğberk Imamoğlu ship sank following the collision, prompting search and rescue operations after authorities lost contact with its 10 crew members.

Units from the Turkish Coast Guard Command, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and the Turkish Naval Forces are continuing search and rescue operations around the clock.

The wreck of the Tuğberk Imamoğlu ship was located four days after the accident following operations by the Turkish Naval Forces’ TCG Akın vessel, which used advanced sonar systems and a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV).

Following the discovery of the wreck, authorities intensified efforts to locate the 10 missing crew members.

On the 12th day of the search and rescue operation, relatives of the 10 missing crew members continue to wait at a liaison point established for them along the Silivri coast. Search and rescue teams continue to regularly update the families on developments in the ongoing efforts.