Turkish Freighter Sinks in Aegean Sea

Greek authorities have confirmed that a Turkish freighter has sunk 18-miles northeast of Samos Island in the Aegean Sea and all 12 crewmembers have been evacuated safely.

The dry cargo ship, the Dogu Haslaman, was carrying nitrates from Ukraine to Israel when the ship issued a distress signal on Tuesday in international waters and began to sink.

Greek defense ministry released a statement saying that the 12-person crew was picked up by another Turkish cargo vessel and had refused any assistance from Greek authorities, citing that they would wait for Turkish rescue efforts.

Greece and Turkey are neighboring countries that have been locked in disagreements regarding the maritime boundaries of the Aegean Sea; one of the areas of contention is who has jurisdiction in search and rescue operations. 

The Dogu Haslaman is owned and managed by Turkish company, Elba Denizcilik Ticaret Ltd., and its reason for its sinking is still unknown.  

PHOTO: Dogu Haslaman, courtesy of marinetraffic.com