Explosions Hit Two Sanctioned Tankers Off Turkey’s Black Sea Coast; Rescues Underway as Cause Remains Unclear

Two tankers linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” were struck by explosions and caught fire off Turkey’s Black Sea coast on Friday, prompting large-scale rescue operations by Turkish maritime authorities. All crew members on both vessels — Kairos and Virat — were rescued safely. The cause of the blasts remains unclear, with early reports suggesting a possible mine strike. The incident comes days after an LNG tanker was attacked in the broader region, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the Black Sea.

Two Tankers Report ‘External Impact’ Near the Bosphorus

Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said the 274-meter tanker Kairos reported an explosion and fire while sailing from Egypt to Russia’s Novorossiysk port.

• The tanker was 28 nautical miles off the Turkish coast.

• It reported an “external impact” before the fire broke out.

• The vessel was sailing in ballast and under the Gambian flag, according to the Tribeca shipping agency.

Turkish rescue authorities immediately dispatched:

• Two fast-rescue boats (KEGM-9, KEGM-10),

• The KURTARMA-12 tugboat,

• And the NENE HATUN emergency response ship.

All 25 crew members were safely evacuated.

The Maritime Affairs Directorate later said the tanker may have struck a mine and could be at risk of sinking.

Second Tanker Virat Also Reports Strike 35 Miles Offshore

Shortly after the Kairos incident, a second tanker — the India-linked Virat — also reported being hit 35 nautical miles off Turkey’s Black Sea coast.

Turkey’s Maritime Affairs Directorate said:

• 20 crew members were in good condition,

• Heavy smoke was detected in the engine room,

• Rescue vessels and a nearby commercial ship were directed to assist.

Both Kairos and Virat are on international sanctions lists due to their role in transporting Russian crude following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to LSEG shipping data.

Turkey Confirms Two Separate Emergency Responses

The Turkish Coast Guard, health teams, and emergency responders were deployed to both incident sites.

A statement from the Kocaeli Governor’s Office confirmed a fire on the Kairos near Kefken and said:

“Necessary intervention is underway with Coast Guard, UMKE and ambulance units. The cause of the fire is not yet known.”

Authorities say investigations into the cause are ongoing, noting that drifting mines have repeatedly been detected in the Black Sea since the war in Ukraine intensified.

Recent LNG Tanker Attack Adds to Regional Security Concerns

The twin tanker incidents follow an attack on an LNG tanker earlier this week in nearby waters, which heightened concerns about maritime security in a region already destabilized by floating mines, drone activity, and military escalation linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Maritime security analysts say:

• It is too early to determine whether the Kairos and Virat incidents were caused by mines, sabotage, or targeted attacks,

• But the close timing of the LNG tanker incident “raises serious questions” about escalating risks in the region.

Shipping Traffic Continues Through the Bosphorus

Despite the two explosions, shipping traffic through the Bosphorus strait remains open, according to the Tribeca agency.

International insurers and shipping firms are now expected to reassess risk premiums for vessels operating in the western Black Sea, particularly for ships linked to Russia’s sanctions-evading routes.

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