Race Against Time: Rescuing Crew of Sunken Cargo Ship in the Sea of Marmara
A cargo ship sank in the Marmara Sea southwest of İmralı island. The 59-meter-long ship, named Batuhan A, sent an emergency signal at 06:32, after which a search and rescue operation was initiated. Despite 3-meter waves, three ships from Bandırma were dispatched to the scene.
Governor Mahmut Demirtaş said that a crisis center was established in Mudanya to monitor the situation closely. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed the emergency with a statement. The ship’s AIS signal was cut off at 07:12, and the dangerously worsening weather conditions prompted the declaration of a “danger phase” for rescue operations.
Efforts are underway to locate the ship and its six crew members, who are believed to be Turkish nationals. So far, only an empty life raft has been discovered. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety announced the initiation of rescue efforts for the distressed cargo ship.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, rescue operations continue in hopes of finding and rescuing the missing crew members. The Governor’s Office reported that the ship is about 7 kilometers from the shore and was likely carrying cargo such as marble or stone.
In light of ongoing search and rescue operations, Bursa Sea Buses (BUDO) canceled eight trips due to the adverse weather conditions, affecting travel between Bursa, Istanbul, and Armutlu. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance also issued notifications to tenants, the news of which was released alongside the ongoing search efforts for the ship and its crew.
