Collision Between Two Commercial Vessels Off Istanbul
In the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026, two commercial ships registered under the Turkish flag collided in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. The incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m., according to the Istanbul Governor’s office.
The vessels involved were the Alsu, a chemical tanker heading towards the Aegean port of Aliaga, and the Tugberk Imamoglu, which was on its way to the Black Sea port of Karadeniz Eregli. The collision took place off the coast of Istanbul in the Silivri district.
Following the crash, the authorities reported losing contact with the Tugberk Imamoglu, which has a crew of ten members onboard. In response to the situation, coast guard ships and helicopters were swiftly deployed to the area for search and rescue operations.
The Istanbul Governor’s office noted that there were no visible damages reported on the Alsu. However, they have been unable to make contact with the Tugberk Imamoglu since the incident.
According to the Istanbul Chamber of Maritime Commerce, the Tugberk Imamoglu is classified as a bulk carrier, while the Alsu is recognized as a chemical tanker.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities remain hopeful for the safety of the crew members of the Tugberk Imamoglu. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
