Ferry-Cargo Collision on the Bosporus Injures 12 – September 19, 2025

Introduction
A serious maritime accident occurred on the evening of September 19, 2025, in Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait when a passenger ferry collided with a Panama-flagged cargo vessel. The collision left a dozen people injured and disrupted one of the city’s busiest ferry routes.

Details of the Collision

Vessels Involved:

• The ferry was identified as Kamil Sayın (IMO 8359859), operating the regular Beşiktaş–Üsküdar commuter route.
• The cargo ship was identified as the Artvin (IMO 8917869), sailing under the Panamanian flag.
• The collision occurred around 8:30 p.m. local time near Salacak, off Istanbul’s Üsküdar district.

Casualties and Medical Response:

• Twelve people sustained injuries as a result of the impact.
• Two ferry passengers were hospitalized via ambulance; the remaining injured received treatment at the scene.
• Authorities confirmed that no passengers or crew fell overboard.

Aftermath and Vessel Handling:

• The ferry Kamil Sayın was safely brought to Paşalimanı Pier following the incident.
• The cargo vessel Artvin was escorted by Turkish Coast Guard units to a secure anchorage point for inspection and damage assessment.
• Emergency teams, including coast guard craft and ambulances, were dispatched to the scene as part of the coordinated response.

Investigation:

• A formal inquiry has been opened to determine the cause of the collision, focusing on navigation practices, traffic separation schemes in the Bosporus, and whether human error or technical failures played a role.
• Authorities emphasized the importance of strict maritime safety in the Bosporus, one of the busiest and narrowest shipping lanes in the world, where passenger ferries and international cargo traffic frequently intersect.