Fire erupts in tanker, crew rescued in Marmara Sea

KOCAELİ

A fire broke out in a tanker carrying liquid petroleum gas (LPG) off Turkey’s northwestern province of İzmit on April 29, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

The fire was brought under control through intervention from the sea and air, while firefighter crews continued cooling efforts due to the risk of explosion.

Three people on a rescue vessel were injured in the fire. They were rescued after they jumped into the sea following the fire.

Kocaeli Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu stated that the fire first broke out on a boat next to the loading station where the tanker was located, and later spread to the tanker.

Kocaeli Mayor İbrahim Karaosmanoğlu also said there were no casualties.

“A few personnel jumped into sea and they were rescued. There are no casualties. Firefighting efforts are ongoing. The fire has largely been brought under control,” Karaosmanoğlu said.

Officials also said traffic was temporarily closed in the Gulf of İzmit.

The region surrounding the gulf is Turkey’s industrial heart, which includes the country’s largest oil refinery TÜPRAŞ, where the tanker fire broke out. There were numerous other tankers loaded with oil, gas and other inflammable material near the burning tanker.

It is also among the most densely populated areas in Turkey.