We have received the news with sorrow that some crew members, including our nationals, in two vessels -Maestro and Candy- under the Tanzanian flag, lost their lives due to the fire disaster on 21 January 2019 off the Kerch Strait.

Since breaking of the news of this closely-monitored incident, initial investigations revealed that 8 out of 16 Turkish crew members were rescued while 4 lost their lives. Search and rescue missions are underway for 4 missing Turkish citizens.

We wish the mercy of Allah be upon those who lost their lives in this tragic accident and express our condolences to their families and relatives.

Meanwhile, we are carrying out the necessary efforts to ensure that the funerals are brought back to our country as soon as possible.