Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made a statement regarding the explosions on merchant ships,AAPA reports, citing Turkish media.
The Turkish minister said that the explosions that occurred on the oil-laden "Kairos" and "Virat" off the Black Sea coast could have been caused by foreign interference.
"Our call centers received information that the first ship hit a mine. Later, we received information about an explosion on the second ship. We safely rescued the crew of both ships and brought them to shore. Our three boats continue to extinguish the ongoing fire. The first thing that comes to mind from the explosions is external interference, which could be a mine, a missile, a boat or a drone. At the moment, we do not have any specific information on the matter. However, we are monitoring both ships," the minister said.
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An explosion and fire have broken out in the engine room of the tanker Kairos in the Black Sea, APA reports citing Reuters.
The vessel, flying the Gambian flag and travelling in ballast, was about 52 miles north of the Turkish Bosporus Strait when the incident occurred, according to the shipping agency Tribeca.
Preliminary reports suggest the tanker may have struck a mine and is at risk of sinking. Rescue tugs and the Turkish coast guard have been dispatched to the scene.
Twenty-five people on board the tanker were evacuated during the explosion, and all are reported to be in good condition.
Authorities have said that shipping through the Bosporus Strait is continuing.
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