According to the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs of Turkey, there were reports of an explosion and fire on two tankers in the Black Sea. The details so far remain unclear.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs of Turkey reported the first explosion on a tanker named Kairos with a carrying capacity of 149,989 dwt and 30 minutes later reported that a second tanker named Virat, with a carrying capacity of 115,643 dwt, located at a different point in the Black Sea, was also hit.
What the two ships have in common is that they are two tankers that have been sanctioned. One is believed to have been destined for the Russian port of Novorossiysk to load. The second tanker, as stated in its AIS, was stopped in the Black Sea awaiting instructions (for orders). Both ships are of Chinese ownership and their last known flags were Gambia.
The Kairos, according to reports, informed the Turkish authorities that the explosion was caused by an external factor. Media reports state that the ship was most likely hit by a mine in the Black Sea and that the explosion occurred in the engine room. The ship has 25 crew members, with some reports saying there are injuries.
The tanker was reported to be approximately 28 nautical miles north of the Turkish coast and about 52 miles from the Bosphorus. According to the latest information, a rescue operation is underway as 12 tugboats and vessels from the Turkish Coast Guard are heading towards the tanker.
The tanker was built in 2002 and in the past, it has been reported for its voyages from Russia to India. The European Union imposed sanctions on the ship in May 2025, while it was sailing under the name Katiuska, with the United Kingdom following, imposing sanctions on the ship in July 2025. According to Equasis, the ship changed ownership in August and passed to a Chinese company, Alafia Trading. The ship’s flag was last reported as Gambia, but is now reported as unknown.
Half an hour later, Turkish authorities reported a new explosion, this time on the tanker Virat, which was located approximately 35 nautical miles offshore in the Black Sea. This one has also been sanctioned. Various rescue vessels as well as a passing merchant ship have been sent to the location, with the Turkish Ministry reporting that dense smoke was detected in the engine room. It reported that the ship has 20 crew members on board and all are in good health.
Like the other tanker, the Virat is also reported to have an unknown flag, whereas previously it had reported Gambia. Built in 2018, the ship is reported to have also been sold to a Chinese company in January 2025.
The United States imposed sanctions on the ship in January 2025 for transporting Russian oil, and the EU followed in July and the United Kingdom in September 2025.
The situation remains critical, and we hope all crew members are in good health.
