Wreckage of ship that sank in Zonguldak fully removed: Search for 7 missing people continues

The Zonguldak Governor's Office reported that wreckage removal operations for the cargo ship "Kafkametler," which sank in the Karadeniz Ereğli district on November 19, have been completed, while the search for the 7 missing crew members continues.

The Governor's Office statement recalled that the cargo ship, which was transporting cargo from Russia's Temryuk Port to Aliağa Port with a 12-person Turkish crew, sank at 10:24 on November 19, 2023, after hitting the military breakwater in Karadeniz Ereğli Port due to adverse weather conditions.

1421 TONS OF WRECKAGE REMOVED

The statement emphasized that the lifeless bodies of 5 personnel were recovered on the fifth day of search and rescue operations, and that efforts to locate the remaining 7 individuals have continued without interruption. It was noted that as of December 14, 2023, the Aras Aras Salvage Ship-Wreckage Recovery company joined the wreckage removal activities for the Kafkametler ship, and approximately 1421 tons of wreckage were removed during the process.

The statement indicated that 64 bone fragments found during the scanning operations were sent to the Council of Forensic Medicine for examination. 

EXAMINATION OF 44 BONE FRAGMENTS CONTINUES

As a result of the examinations, it was determined that 20 of the bone fragments were animal bones; the examination of the remaining 44 bone fragments is ongoing.

The statement continued as follows:

"As a result of the examinations conducted by the Council of Forensic Medicine, it has been determined that 20 of the bone fragments are animal bones, and the examination of the remaining 44 bone fragments is continuing. There are no large pieces left underwater, and it is anticipated that removing some small sheet metal pieces trapped under the breakwater blocks could cause damage to the breakwater. As of this date, wreckage removal activities have been completed and operations have been concluded, while Coast Guard units continue their scanning activities for the bodies at sea and along the coastline."

News Source: 12punto