ISTANBUL: Ship traffic in both directions of the Istanbul Strait resumed at 12:40 local time on Wednesday as visibility improved, allowing for safe navigation. The strait, a key maritime passage connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and further to the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, had been temporarily closed earlier in the day.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Turkish Coastal Safety Directorate announced on its website that the closure began at 3:45 a.m. local time. The suspension was attributed to heavy fog in the northern parts of Istanbul, which significantly reduced visibility, posing a risk to maritime operations.

The Istanbul Strait, also known as the Bosphorus, is a vital conduit for international shipping, with thousands of vessels passing through annually. The temporary closure underscored the challenges posed by natural conditions in one of the world's busiest waterways. The resumption of traffic was expected to alleviate delays and restore normalcy to the region's shipping activities.