Divers are due later Thursday to try and inspect the wreck of a Turkish-operated freighter that sank off the Aegean Sea island of Andros without loss of life but raising questions over potential environmental damage.
Greek authorities, including the National Intelligence Service, are also taking a close interest in Wednesday’s shipwreck. The Vanuatu-flagged Corsage C is reportedly on an international shipping black list, while there is concern that apart from the registered load of 3,000 metric tons of soda it may have been carrying some additional, undeclared cargo.
According to the Coast Guard, the ship had left a Croatian port and was heading for Ukraine when it ran aground on rocks off northern Andros and sank before dawn. All nine crew members – eight Turks and an Azeri national – were rescued and are in good health.
The 52-year-old captain and 32-year-old watch officer, both Turkish nationals, were arrested and face charges including negligence that led to a shipwreck. The precise causes of the sinking are under investigation. The Coast Guard said weather conditions at the time of the accident were fair.
Authorities mounted a large operation to prevent environmental damage from the Corsage C, which was carrying an unspecified quantity of fuel in its tanks.
Two specialized Coast Guard cleanup vessels were sent to the spot, and a floating boom was set up around the sunken vessel to catch any fuel that should seep out before it could reach the shores of Andros or other nearby islands.