A severe storm in the Black Sea led to the sinking of the Turkish-flagged cargo ship Kafkametler, causing the loss of at least one crew member and leaving eleven others missing.
The incident occurred around 120 miles east of Istanbul, near the town of Eregli in Turkey’s northwest Zonguldak Province.
The vessel, which carried 12 crew members, reportedly encountered trouble on Sunday when it began drifting toward a breakwater at Eregli. It is believed that the ship eventually collided with the structure. The captain’s report of the ship’s perilous situation was the last known communication before contact was lost.
The storm struck the region on Sunday, November 19, 2023, hampering search and rescue operations and delaying them until Monday. The inclement weather prevented both air and sea rescue teams from embarking on their mission to find the missing crew members. Once the weather conditions improved, the search resumed, leading to the discovery of the body of the ship’s cook.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the storm’s impact was not confined to the maritime tragedy. It also led to the deaths of nine people across Turkey, including four in the southeastern province of Batman, three in Zonguldak, and one in Diyarbakir. Among the victims were a grandmother and her three grandchildren, swept away by floodwaters caused by the heavy rains.
The Cameroon-flagged Pallada, another cargo ship that encountered the storm’s fury, split into two parts after running aground in 16-foot waves near Eregli. All 13 crew members on board were rescued safely.
When the incident occurred, the Kafkametler was transporting ferrosilicon, an alloy used in steelmaking, from the Russian port of Temryuk to Aliaga in Turkey.
In the coastal city of Eregli, rising water levels led to a prison evacuation, with inmates transferred to surrounding facilities for their safety.
The same weather front is noted to have followed an unusually dry summer in Turkey, leading to the lowest water levels in Istanbul’s dams in nine years. Experts attribute the extended drought and the resulting severe weather patterns to climate change and poor water management.
The Turkish government continues its efforts to locate the missing sailors and address the aftermath of the storm. Rescue teams, utilizing helicopters and other resources, are scouring the area for any survivors or more casualties.
