Update Post: November 28, 2023 11:06 am
Date: November 20, 2023 Time: 13:15:21
The cause of the disaster would be a storm that broke out the day before in the Turkish province of Zonguldak. It is reported that the Kafkametler with 12 crew members was heading from the Russian port of Temryuk to the Turkish Aliaga with a cargo of ferrosilicon (an alloy of iron and silicon). At first, the ship gave an SOS signal, the captain reported by radio that she was heading towards the breakwater in the port of Eregli.
The minister also told reporters that the ship sank after hitting a breakwater. “It has not yet been possible to contact 12 crew members (all of them are Turkish citizens – note RG)”, he added. The official promised to begin the rescue operation on Monday, weather conditions permitting. The minister also pointed out that on Sunday the waves reached 9 meters and the visibility in some places did not exceed 25 meters.
The day before, the bulk carrier Pallada, which ran aground, broke in half due to a storm near the port of Eregli, according to the disaster management authority (AFAD). The ship’s crew was rescued. The disaster occurred mainly on the Turkish Black Sea coast, in the province of Zonguldak. Schools are reported to be closed on Monday due to bad weather.