Sanaa: Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into the death of a crew member aboard a Panama-flagged cargo ship, ASOMATOS, which was hit by multiple drones off Russia before entering Turkish territorial waters. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced the development, highlighting the severity of the incident which occurred on the high seas before the vessel's arrival near Istanbul.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ASOMATOS was among several ships damaged by drone attacks in Russian waters on July 16. Despite the damage, the vessel continued its journey and entered Turkish waters the following day, anchoring approximately 3 nautical miles off Kisirkaya Beach in Istanbul's Sariyer district. The incident prompted immediate action from Turkish Coast Guard officials, who informed prosecutors of the death of one crew member during the attacks.

A team, including a prosecutor and crime scene investigators, was dispatched to the ship to conduct an examination, gather evidence, and supervise the autopsy of the deceased crew member, reportedly an Indonesian national. Preliminary reports indicate that the ship had a crew of 24, comprising three Russian port officials, three Greek nationals, four Egyptian nationals, and 14 Indonesian nationals. The vessel was transporting 4,751 metric tons of wheat at the time of the attack, and no issues were detected in its engine systems.

The attack began around 12:30 am (2130GMT) on July 17 while the ship was off the coast of Russia's Kavkaz region, awaiting its turn to load. The first drone struck the starboard side of the vessel, followed by a second that impacted the funnel and deck, causing damage to the living quarters. A third drone hit the ship's No. 3 crane. Following directives from the Kavkaz Traffic Control Center, the ship proceeded on its course southward.

The prosecutor's office stated that the examination and evidence collection aboard the ship are ongoing, and a comprehensive investigation into the incident's circumstances continues.