Passengers injured as fast ferry slams into cargo vessel
Turkish media reports serious injuries as Istanbul ferry hits Ukrainian freighter
 

An Istanbul ferry collided today with a Ukrainian-registered cargo vessel causing panic and injuries amongst its passengers.

The SALIH REIS-4, a new fast ferry delivered only this year by Damen Shipyards of Singapore, and owned by İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri., collided with a cargo vessel, the SEMYON RUDNEV in the Sea of Marmara.

The ferry slammed straight into the cargo vessel, which was at anchor at the mouth of the Bosphorous, after leaving the Yenikapi Ferry Terminal.

The ferry's bows were heavily damaged and passengers on the ferry were thrown about causing injuries to at least thirty people, though some reports give the number of injured as forty.

Turkish media say some of the injuries are of a serious nature.

The ferry limped back to port where fleets of ambulances arrived to treat and take away the injured to local hospitals.

The terminal is one of the busiest in Turkey and many new fast ferries have arrived over recent years to replace ageing tonnage and cater for the burgeoning tourist industry. The SALIH REIS-4 is one of five new craft delivered by Damen Shipyards this year.

No casualties were reported on the Ukraine freighter and the level of damage to the vessel is not known as yet.