Despite the impact of the strike, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that all 27 crew members on board are safe and in good health. The vessel, which flies the Sierra Leone flag and was transporting crude oil, was operating within the designated economic zone when the attack occurred.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli expressed grave concern over the incident in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that such aggressive actions pose “serious risks to life, property, navigation, and environmental safety” in the region.
“We are in active contact with all relevant parties to ensure the ongoing conflict does not escalate further into the Black Sea,” Keceli added. He also noted that Türkiye reserves the right to take legal and protective measures to safeguard its economic interests and regional activities.
The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Officials are particularly concerned about the proliferation of drones due to the Russia-Ukraine war, citing risks of lost control or drifting hardware reaching the Turkish coastline.
A marine drone struck a crude oil tanker traveling from Russia early Thursday morning, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near the strategic Bosphorus Strait. Türkiye’s Transportation Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, confirmed the incident during a broadcast on Kanal 24, noting that the attack occurred approximately 18 nautical miles (33 km) from the entrance to the Bosphorus.
The vessel, identified as the Altura, was carrying a crew of 27, all of whom have been reported safe and in good health. The Bosphorus remains a critical global shipping artery, linking the Black Sea to the Marmara and Mediterranean seas. Following the blast, the Turkish Coast Guard was immediately dispatched to provide assistance and secure the area.
This strike is the latest in a series of maritime incidents involving Western-sanctioned vessels operating near Russian ports. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli condemned the attack, stating it occurred within Türkiye’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and represents a severe violation of international law.
“Such attacks create serious risks to life, property, navigation, and environmental safety in the region,” Keceli stated. He emphasized that Türkiye is in contact with relevant international parties to prevent the Russia-Ukraine war from escalating further into the Black Sea.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense added that it is closely monitoring the trajectory of stray drones and drifting hardware resulting from the conflict to protect the Turkish coastline and economic interests. (Turkyetoday)
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