A collision involving two Turkish-flagged merchant vessels in the Marmara Sea off Silivri has triggered a search-and-rescue operation after contact was lost with one ship’s 10 crew members.

The incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m. (GMT+3), approximately 18 nautical miles south of Silivri, according to Anadolu Agency.

The vessel ALSU, sailing from Kocaeli to Aliaga, collided with TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU, which was traveling from Iskenderun toward Karadeniz Ereğli.

Turkish Coast Guard units and a helicopter were dispatched to the area. Preliminary inspections found no damage to ALSU, but authorities lost communication with 10 crew members aboard TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU.

A search-and-rescue operation is currently underway in the area as authorities work to determine the whereabouts of the missing crew members.