Ankara, March 26 (SANA) A Turkish oil tanker was attacked near the Bosporus Strait in the Black Sea shortly after midnight on Thursday, causing structural damage but no injuries to its crew, Turkish officials said.
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the incident is believed to have involved an unmanned surface vessel, rather than an aerial drone, adding that the ship’s engine room sustained damage.
Coast guard and maritime security teams responded quickly, evacuating all 27 crew members safely. No casualties were reported, and authorities said the situation remains under close monitoring.
Uraloglu said the explosion was caused by an external source and described the attack as a deliberate attempt to disable the vessel. An investigation is underway.
The minister said he could not rule out a possible link to the war in Ukraine, noting increased risks in the region.
The incident comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Black Sea, raising concerns over the safety of maritime routes and energy shipments.
F.J.
