20.01.2026 14:45
A body of an unidentified man was found in the Istanbul Bosphorus. It is believed that the body may belong to 30-year-old Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov, who went missing during the 37th Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race held in August. The lifeless body has been sent to the forensic institution for a comprehensive autopsy.
Citizens who noticed a male body in the Bosphorus reported the situation to the police. Upon notification, the teams from the Marine Port Department, which moved to the open waters of Kuruçeşme, retrieved the male body that had washed ashore.
MAY BELONG TO RUSSIAN SWIMMER MISSING SINCE AUGUST
The body, which was found to be wearing swimwear, is believed to belong to 30-year-old Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov, who went missing during the 37th Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK) on August 24.
BODY INTEGRITY OF THE CORPSE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
After it was understood that Russian swimmer Nikolay Svechnikov, who participated in the race held in August 2025 with 2820 athletes from 81 countries, could not reach the shore, the marine police and coast guard teams had been conducting search operations since that date.
The body, which was retrieved from the sea with compromised integrity, was sent to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK) morgue for a comprehensive autopsy.