Panamanian-flagged cargo ship runs aground in NW Turkey

CANAKKALE, Turkey

A cargo ship ran aground off Turkey's northwestern province of Canakkale on Thursday, said a coast guard source.

The Panamanian-flagged ship Kemet Star ran aground off Canakkale’s Bozcaada district for reasons unspecified, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

A tug and a life-saving boat were sent after the ship captain notified local authorities, the source added.

A rescue operation will be carried out after teams examine the area where the ship ran aground, it said.

The ship spanning 149 meters (489 feet) long and weighing 11,848 gross tons was headed from Abu Zenima, Egypt to Turkey’s northwestern Kocaeli Derince Port when it ran aground, according to the source.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin