A Black Day on the Bosphorus

On November 5, 1979, the Romanian-flagged oil tanker Independenta and another Greek-flagged ship collided in the Bosphorus. This terrible accident caused a huge explosion and a fire that lasted for days. 43 sailors lost their lives in the tragedy, which also wreaked havoc on the region’s ecosystem and is remembered as “one of the biggest maritime disasters in the Bosphorus”.

This incident once again reminded us that important lessons need to be learned in terms of both maritime and environmental safety.

As we commemorate this black day, we once again emphasize the importance of protecting our seas.