Second captain arrested in tanker poisoning case

One person died and two others were injured in a poisoning incident on the Panama-flagged tanker 'Swanlake', which was carrying sunflower oil off the coast of Democracy and Freedoms Island in the Sea of Marmara.

Within the scope of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the matter, the ship's second captain, who was taken into custody, was arrested by the Duty Criminal Court of Peace following police procedures and sent to prison.

"THEY ENTERED THE TANK WITHOUT PRECAUTIONS"

Making a statement regarding the incident, the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the personnel entered the tank, where gas levels had risen to the maximum, without taking precautions, and included the following remarks:

"Upon receiving a report of poisoning on the Panama-flagged ship named Swanlake off the coast of Democracy and Freedoms Island, investigation procedures were immediately initiated, and according to initial findings, it was determined that 1 foreign national lost their life and 2 people were injured. The death examination and autopsy of the deceased citizen have been completed. The initial inspection on the ship determined that the incident occurred because the deceased and injured ship personnel entered the tank without precautions after the gas level in the slop tank rose to the maximum level. The ship's second captain, who was identified as responsible in the expert report obtained, was taken into custody and arrested by the Duty Criminal Court of Peace. Since the deceased, the injured, and the persons held responsible are foreign nationals, the investigation is being carried out meticulously, observing the relevant procedural actions in accordance with the circulars numbered 70/1 and 71/1 of the Ministry of Justice General Directorate of International Law and Foreign Relations."