Turkey is conducting an investigation after explosions and fires on two sanctioned tankers in the Black Sea, approximately 30 minutes apart. While Turkey was carrying out a rescue operation, following the explosion and fire on the tanker Kairos (149,989 dwt), it received a report that a second tanker, named Virat (115,643 dwt), had been hit while located at a different point in the Black Sea.
Unconfirmed media reports immediately began speculating that it was a coordinated drone attack. Others said the Kairos, which was underway, hit a mine. The crew has abandoned the ship, while published photos show a large cloud of smoke extending over it. In contrast to the Kairos, the Virat was waiting for orders off the coast of Turkey.
The common element of both ships is that they are both tankers on which sanctions have been imposed, both by the US and by the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The Kairos is believed to have been heading to the Russian port of Novorossiysk to load a cargo of crude oil. The Virat was in the Black Sea waiting for orders (For orders). Both ships are Chinese-owned and their last known flags were Gambia.
The Kairos, according to reports, notified the Turkish authorities of an explosion caused by some external factor. There were 25 crew members on board the ship, with some reports suggesting there are injuries to some of them. The Kocaeli Governorate issued a statement saying all 25 crew members have evacuated the ship and are in good condition. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety confirmed the evacuation of the crew without additional details.
The tanker Kairos was reported to be approximately 28 nautical miles north of the Turkish coast and about 52 miles from the Bosphorus. Twelve tugboats as well as Turkish Coast Guard vessels that arrived at the scene participated in the crew rescue operation.
The Kairos was built in 2002 and in the past, 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 ship is also under sanctions. Various rescue vessels as well as an additional merchant ship have been sent to the location, with the Turkish Ministry reporting dense smoke was detected in the engine room. It reported that there are 20 crew members on the ship 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.
According to Turkey’s General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the Virat has sustained damage, however, it stated that there is no fire or emergency and the crew has not requested assistance to abandon the ship. As a precaution for any possible situation, a tug with firefighting and towing capabilities has been dispatched.
This strange incident and the unusual nature of the two events prompted Turkey’s Minister of Transport, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, to issue a statement. He referred to the operations and stated that they will investigate.
The situation remains tense and dangerous in the Black Sea region. Special attention is needed from companies that decide to send their ships to Black Sea ports and especially to those of Russia and Ukraine.
Mısır’dan Rusya’ya seyir halindeki KAIROS adlı 274 metre boyundaki tankerden patlama ve yangın ihbarı alınması üzerine KEGM-9 ve KEGM-10 hızlı tahlisiye botlarımız, KURTARMA-12 römorkörümüz ve NENE HATUN Acil Müdahale Gemimiz, /5ULZEOsc9Z
— KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) November 28, 2025
