04.09.2026 07:10
Search efforts continue for 10 sailors on the Tuğberk İmamoğlu, which sank following the collision of two ships off the coast of Silivri. In the initial expert report, it was determined that there was no lookout on the bridge of the ALSU tanker, that the third captain, who had joined the ship a day earlier, was alone during his first navigational watch, and that the captain was asleep in his cabin at the time of the accident.
Judicial and administrative investigations continue regarding the shipwreck that occurred approximately 18 nautical miles south of Silivri. The initial expert report prepared after the accident revealed striking findings regarding the watch arrangement on the tanker ALSU before the collision.
In the early hours of the previous day, around 03:00, the tanker named ALSU, traveling from Kocaeli to Aliağa, collided with the dry cargo ship named Tuğberk İmamoğlu, which was sailing from İskenderun Port to Karadeniz Ereğli. Following the collision, Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank into deep waters.
While no news has been received from the 10 sailors on board the ship, 9 of the 10 personnel on ALSU, excluding the cook, were taken into custody. Six of the suspects, who are being held under guard on the ship accompanied by gendarmerie, were referred to the courthouse.
HE WAS ALONE ON HIS FIRST NAVIGATION WATCH
According to the initial report prepared by the expert committee appointed by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, there was no lookout on the bridge of ALSU. During the accident, the 3rd Captain Murat Evciman was alone on watch.
It was stated in Evciman's testimony that he had joined the ship only one day before the accident and that the watch between 00:00 and 04:00 was his first navigation watch on this vessel.
The expert committee assessed that leaving an officer, who did not yet sufficiently know the ship's maneuverability, personnel, and equipment, alone in a dense traffic separation scheme was a significant deficiency.
THE CAPTAIN WAS SLEEPING IN HIS CABIN DURING THE ACCIDENT
Another striking finding in the report concerned the ship's captain. It was determined that at the time of the accident, around 03:13, there was no lookout, trainee, or helmsman on the bridge except for Evciman.
It was recorded that the lookout trainee Yunus Türker, who was on duty, and other personnel were resting in their cabins and on the deck.
It was also determined that the captain of ALSU, Ahmet Erarslan, was sleeping in his cabin during the collision. Erarslan, who woke up due to the impact of the collision, was reported to have reached the bridge 7-10 minutes later.
In his statement, Erarslan said, "He had the authority not to keep a lookout in the open sea." The expert committee, however, noted that this practice was contrary to the ship's Safety Management System (SMS) rules.
THE SUNKEN SHIP'S TRACKING DEVICE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE
As part of the investigation, it was also determined that the tracking device of the Tuğberk İmamoğlu was defective. Technical examinations are ongoing regarding the wreck located at a depth of approximately 800 to 1100 meters, as well as the radio, radar, and navigation records from before the incident.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE 10 MISSING SAILORS
Extensive search and rescue efforts continued throughout the night to find the 10-member crew on board the sunken Tuğberk İmamoğlu.
In addition to a naval underwater search vessel, 18 floating units, 5 helicopters, 2 UAVs, and 1 search and rescue aircraft are participating in the efforts, coordinated by the Coast Guard, Coastal Safety, AFAD, and the Red Crescent.
The operation is being monitored from the crisis center established under the Silivri District Governorship and the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate. The families of the missing sailors waiting at the port are also being regularly informed about the efforts.
UNDERWATER SECTIONS OF ALSU ARE BEING EXAMINED
An expert examination has been initiated on ALSU, which is reported to have survived the accident without damage and was towed to approximately 2 kilometers off the Silivri coast. Divers conducted dives to determine whether there was any damage to the underwater sections of the ship.
In the area where Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank, pollution was detected on the sea surface. Teams continue their work to determine the source and spread of the pollution and to take precautions against potential environmental and health risks.