The Euronews report explained that two sanctioned oil carriers caught fire in the Black Sea near Türkiye. The incidents happened only a few dozen nautical miles off the coast. All crew members were rescued, while investigators began reviewing what triggered the explosions.
Two Separate Fires Near the Turkish Coast
Turkish authorities confirmed that the first carrier exploded roughly 28 nautical miles from Kocaeli province. It was sailing without cargo and heading north when the blast occurred. A short time later, a second carrier suffered damage in another area of the Black Sea, around 35 nautical miles from the coast.
Officials said the first fire began after an “external impact.” They did not share further details. The cause remains unclear. Authorities still consider naval mines or a targeted strike as possible explanations. Several ships have hit drifting mines in the region in recent years, which keeps the risk level high.
Authorities Raise Alert Levels
Maritime officials increased their alert status soon after the incidents. They also monitored vessel movements near the Bosporus to reduce the chance of additional emergencies. The area already carries high safety concerns due to conflict, drifting ordnance, and heavy commercial traffic.
Rescue teams evacuated 25 people from the first carrier and 20 from the second. Both vessels appear on international sanctions lists issued after the 2022 conflict. They are part of a fleet known for operating with changing flags and ownership structures to avoid restrictions on crude oil transport.
Sanctions and Environmental Concerns
The report stated that one vessel faced sanctions earlier this year from several jurisdictions. The other received similar measures mid-year. Over time, both have sailed under different flags, showing a pattern often linked to sanction-evading transport networks.
The twin incidents renewed concerns over environmental risks in the region. They also highlighted the continuing vulnerabilities of the Black Sea, where years of conflict and drifting ordnance still threaten safe navigation for commercial shipping.
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Source: Euronews
