Turkish oil tanker comes under drone attack in Black Sea

A Turkish oil tanker carrying crude oil was struck by a drone in the Black Sea, 15 miles from the Bosphorus, the Turkish TV channel NTV reports.

The tanker ALTURA, carrying 140,000 tons of oil and departing from Russia, was hit by a drone. The incident occurred in the open waters of the Black Sea and was accompanied by a powerful explosion. Damage was reported on the ship’s bridge, and the engine room of the tanker was flooded.

After the tanker sent a distress signal, coast guard units, maritime security forces, and the specialised emergency response vessel Nene Hatun were dispatched to the scene. Assistance operations for the vessel are ongoing.

No official statement has yet been issued by the authorities on whether this was an “attack.” Reports indicate that none of the crew members was injured, and the health of all 27 Turkish crew members is assessed as good.