Tanker captain arrested after cargo ship sank near Istanbul

Search and rescue teams continue to scour the area where the Turkish vessel Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank, but have not yet reached the wreckage or recovered the ship’s voyage data recorder, commonly referred to as the “black box.” The incident, which occurred earlier this week in the Aegean Sea, prompted the deployment of multiple maritime authorities, including the Turkish Coast Guard, the Hellenic Navy, and civilian rescue units, all operating under coordinated command to locate survivors and assess the extent of the damage. Weather conditions and the depth of the water have hampered initial efforts, delaying access to the submerged hull.

Officials said that locating the VDR is a priority, as its data will be essential for determining the cause of the accident and for future safety investigations. Divers and remotely operated vehicles are scheduled to commence a systematic search later today, while surface vessels maintain a perimeter to support any potential recovery operations. The authorities have urged the public to avoid the area and have pledged regular updates as the search progresses, emphasizing that the safety of any remaining crew members remains the foremost concern.