Three tankers have reportedly been hit by drone attacks in the Black Sea off the northern coast of Turkey, in an incident that has raised fresh concerns about maritime security in the region. According to shipping company Tribeca, the Palau-flagged tanker James II was about 80 kilometers north of the Turkeli region when the attack was reported. Meanwhile, two other tankers, the Sierra Leone-flagged Altura and Velora, were allegedly hit in a nearby area during a ship-to-ship transfer operation.

Maritime authorities and Coast Guard vessels were immediately dispatched to the scene to provide assistance. According to preliminary data, all crew members are in good condition and no casualties or injuries have been reported. The incident occurs at a time of ongoing tensions in the region, where several maritime incidents and attacks on infrastructure and ships in the Black Sea area have been reported since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, while Turkish authorities have not yet issued an official response due to the Eid holiday.
Investigations into the circumstances of the attack continue, while it remains unclear who is behind the use of drones in this new maritime incident.