The General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM) swiftly responded to the incident, dispatching the KEGM-6 and KIYEM-4 fast rescue boats to the scene. Governor Demirtaş confirmed the deployment of two teams from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and a team from the Bandırma district of Balıkesir to aid in the rescue mission.
Despite challenging conditions with waves nearing three meters, efforts to save the crew are ongoing, with coordination led by the Coast Guard Command in Mudanya district. The ship sank off the coast of Kurşunlu District in Karacabey, approximately 3.5 miles from the shore.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure reported that an emergency signal was received from the ship at 06:32, and contact was lost at 07:12, prompting the declaration of a 'Danger Phase.' Rescue vessels, including TCSG 25, TCSG 85, and TCSG 313, have been deployed to the area. Search activities revealed an empty life raft.
In a statement, the Coast Guard Command confirmed that the ship, "Batuhan A," began to sink at 06:30 due to adverse weather and sea conditions.
TCSG-313, TCSG 85, TCSG-25, and KB-4502 boats were dispatched, along with two tugboats from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety. The search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya shared visuals of the discovered empty life raft and announced plans to deploy a Coast Guard helicopter once weather conditions improve.
He also stated empty liferaft was spotted in the sea.
Notably, "Batuhan A" had previously run aground on April 2, 2021, near Karabiga town in Çanakkale, and was successfully rescued two days later by the tugboat "Türkeli" from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety.
The video shows the last condition of Batuhan A (Sunken Ship) which was shared by one of the members who was onboard before the ship sank.