Marmara Sea ship disaster: 2 captains of the Alsu arrested

The investigation launched by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues following the collision of the Turkish-flagged commercial ship "Tuğberk İmamoğlu," which was carrying rolled sheet metal and construction rebar while en route from Kocaeli to Aliağa, with the Turkish-flagged commercial ship "Alsu" approximately 18 nautical miles south of Silivri, which resulted in the sinking of the Tuğberk İmamoğlu and the inability to reach the 10-person crew on board.

Within the scope of the investigation, 9 of the 10 people on the Alsu ship involved in the accident, excluding the cook, were processed as suspects and their statements were taken on the ship.

Due to the ongoing investigation and administrative inquiry, and considering the safety of the ship, the suspects were kept under guard on the ship accompanied by the gendarmerie. It was learned that tests conducted on the suspects on the ship showed no traces of alcohol, and blood tests were also performed on the suspects for detailed examination.

1ST AND 3RD CAPTAINS OF THE ALSU SHIP ARRESTED

In accordance with the preliminary report prepared by the expert committee appointed by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to determine the fault status of the individuals involved in the incident, 6 suspects whose statements were completed on the ship were referred to the Silivri Courthouse.

The suspects' statements were taken by 2 public prosecutors. Among the suspects whose prosecution statements were completed, the 1st and 3rd captains of the Alsu ship were referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for arrest, taking their fault status into account. An arrest warrant was issued for the 2 captains.

DIVERS TO CONDUCT EXAMINATION ON THE ALSU SHIP

Meanwhile, it was learned that divers will conduct an examination on the underwater parts of the Alsu ship.

Furthermore, it was stated that in their statements, the suspects claimed that 2 or 3 members of the crew of the Tuğberk İmamoğlu were on the deck before the ship sank, and that while there is no evidence or indication that they survived, there is a possibility of reaching the bodies of these individuals if they have passed away, but the wreckage of the ship has not yet been reached.

On the other hand, Coast Guard Marmara and Straits Regional Commander Rear Admiral Serkan Tezel and Director General of Coastal Safety Mustafa Bankaoğlu also followed the search and rescue efforts on-site from the Coast Guard's TCSG GÜVEN ship.

INVESTIGATION

In a statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was previously stated that an investigation was immediately launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office upon the report that the Turkish-flagged commercial ship named Tuğberk İmamoğlu, carrying rolled sheet metal and construction rebar and sailing from Kocaeli to Aliağa, sank as a result of a collision with the Turkish-flagged commercial ship named Alsu approximately 18 nautical miles south of Silivri district around 03:00 on September 2, and that the 10-person crew on board could not be reached.

The statement, which noted that search and rescue efforts are continuing in coordination with relevant institutions and organizations to reach the missing crew, included the following:

"Necessary instructions have been given to have expert examinations conducted, and to urgently secure and collect all navigation, radar, and communication records of the ships, as well as all information, documents, footage, and other evidence related to the incident, in order to determine the manner and causes of the event and identify those responsible, if any, and to reveal the material truth in all its aspects. One deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have been assigned to ensure the investigation is conducted effectively and comprehensively, and judicial proceedings are being carried out meticulously."