Crew of drone-hit Turkish cargo ship evacuated to Russia

A Ro-Ro cargo vessel sailing from Russia's Novorossiysk port to Samsun came under a drone attack in the Black Sea, with all 22 crew members, including 13 Turkish nationals, safely evacuated to Novorossiysk by Russian naval units, Türkiye's General Directorate of Maritime Affairs said.

In a statement posted on social media, the directorate noted that the NADEZHDA was attacked approximately 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk while en route to Samsun, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

According to the statement, the vessel sustained damage to its living quarters and bow, and a fire remains active on board.

"Following consultations with MRCC Novo, it has been confirmed that the seafarers aboard the vessel were safely evacuated to the Port of Novorossiysk by Russian naval units," the directorate added.

Preliminary information indicates that three crew members may have sustained serious injuries.

The statement further stated that firefighting and rescue operations cannot currently be carried out because the blaze continues and the risk of further drone attacks in the area remains high.

The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs also said it is closely monitoring the situation and expressed its wishes for the injured sailors' speedy recovery and safe return to their families.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov