Turkish Ferry Sinks Off Black Sea Coast

A ferry sank off the Turkish Black Sea coast Aug. 16 after a fire, officials said, adding that one crew member was missing, but no passengers were on board when the vessel went down.

Firefighters rescued 12 crew members from the Gurgen-2 ferry after a blaze broke out on the upper deck while the ship was docked in the port city of Trabzon but were unable to reach the remaining crew member. The search for the missing man has been called off, officials said.

Firefighters, fearing the flames might spread to fuel tanks and pose a threat to the town, had towed the ferry out to the sea. Hours later it sank.

Initial investigations appear to show that an electrical short circuit sparked the blaze, officials said.