Turkish Seafarer Dies After Drone Hits Ship That Rescued Him From Earlier Black Sea Attack
Our take
The escalating risks to maritime commerce in the Black Sea region have taken a tragically somber turn with the death of Turkish seafarer Ilker Lazoglu, following a drone strike on the cargo ship *Necibe*. This incident, occurring shortly after the ship rescued Lazoglu and others from an earlier attack on their vessel while loading wheat off Tuapse, underscores the increasingly precarious environment for seafarers navigating these waters. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has demonstrably disrupted established trade routes and introduced a volatile element of risk that extends beyond the immediate combat zone. The rejection of Ukraine’s recent proposal for a Black Sea shipping truce, as reported in Russia Rejects Ukraine’s Black Sea Shipping Truce Proposal, Zelenskyy Says, highlights the persistent challenges in establishing safe passage for commercial vessels and further exacerbates the instability. The situation demands a rigorous assessment of maritime security protocols and the implementation of measures to safeguard the lives of those who rely on these vital shipping lanes.
The circumstances surrounding Lazoglu’s death, and the *Necibe*’s involvement in a prior rescue operation, paint a stark picture of the escalating dangers. The fact that a ship engaged in humanitarian assistance became a target further complicates the situation, raising questions about the targeting practices and the potential for civilian casualties in this conflict. It also echoes recent incidents involving maritime assets elsewhere, such as the arrest of an Indian captain connected to a seized Russian oil tanker, as detailed in Indian Captain Arrested After UK Commandos Seize Russian Oil Tanker; Wife Calls Him ‘Scapegoat’. These events, while distinct, share a common thread: the increasing vulnerability of maritime personnel and vessels to geopolitical tensions and the potential for unintended consequences. The recent sinking of a bulk carrier in the Bay of Bengal, resulting in the loss of 22 seafarers, as reported in 22 Seafarers Missing After Ship Sailing From India To China With 72,000 Tonnes Of Iron Ore Sinks In Bay Of Bengal, serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks associated with maritime transport, even outside of active conflict zones.
The broader significance of this event extends beyond the immediate loss of life. It underscores the potential for disruptions to global supply chains, particularly for food security. The Black Sea is a crucial transit route for grain exports, and continued instability will likely impact global food prices and availability. The increased risk will also likely drive up insurance premiums and shipping costs, further compounding economic challenges. From a scientific perspective, the escalating use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in naval warfare presents a new and complex challenge. The ability to remotely deploy and operate such systems significantly alters the dynamics of maritime security, requiring a re-evaluation of existing threat assessments and defensive strategies. The integration of real-time data and calibrated sensor systems becomes paramount for monitoring and mitigating these emerging risks, demanding an integrated data ecosystem capable of providing ocean intelligence to support informed decision-making.
Looking ahead, the long-term implications for maritime trade and security in the Black Sea remain uncertain. The conflict’s trajectory, and the willingness of parties to negotiate safe passage agreements, will be critical determinants. Furthermore, the development and deployment of countermeasures against UAV threats will require ongoing investment and innovation. A key question to monitor is whether the international community can establish a framework for protecting commercial shipping in high-risk areas, ensuring the safety of seafarers and maintaining the integrity of global trade flows. The incident involving Ilker Lazoglu serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of geopolitical instability and the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard the world's oceans.
A Turkish sailor who survived a drone attack on a cargo ship was killed three days later when the vessel that rescued him was also hit by a drone near Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, according to Turkish media reports and his family.
Ilker Lazoglu, 47, was the head cook on the San Marino-flagged cargo ship Necibe. The vessel was attacked by drones on Aug. 18 while loading wheat off Tuapse. All 18 crew members left the ship and were rescued by the Turkish-owned, Cameroon-flagged ro-ro vessel Ural.
On Aug. 21, the Ural was also attacked near Novorossiysk. Lazoglu was seriously wounded and later died. Eight other crew members were injured, Turkish media reported.
The Ural reached Samsun on Aug. 22 with Lazoglu’s body and the injured sailors. His remains were handed over to his family, while the injured crew members were taken to hospitals.
Lazoglu survived the first attack
Lazoglu’s uncle, Faruk Lazoglu, said his nephew called him after the Necibe was attacked.
“He was head cook on the Necibe. He called me when the ship was bombed. He told me not to worry, that he was alive,” his uncle said.
Lazoglu told him another ship would arrive to rescue the crew and that he would move to that vessel.
Two days later, the family could no longer reach him. Faruk Lazoglu said he contacted a company official, who told him Lazoglu was safe and would be flown home.
The family later learned that he had been transferred to the Ural.
A company official then called the uncle in the evening and told him that the Ural had also been attacked and Lazoglu had been seriously wounded.
Faruk Lazoglu said he had spoken to his nephew during the attack on the Ural.
“He said, ‘Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong, stay calm. No one has been hurt right now,'” the uncle said.
The family later lost contact with him. The next morning, they learned that he had died.
Lazoglu had worked on ships for around 10 to 15 years. He lived in Istanbul and had two daughters, his uncle said. His family was based in Samsun.
Two ships attacked within three days
The Necibe, IMO 9548732, was attacked on Aug. 18 while loading 20,000 tonnes of wheat off Tuapse, according to the reports.
Its 18 crew members were rescued by the Ural, IMO 7725386. The Ural is an older ro-ro cargo ship owned by a Turkish company and registered in Cameroon.
On Aug. 21, while still in the area, the Ural was hit by a drone near Novorossiysk.
Eight crew members were injured and Lazoglu was killed after suffering serious wounds.
Turkish newspaper Dünya reported his death on Aug. 22. Other Turkish media, including Cumhuriyet and Hurriyet, also reported details of the attacks and comments from his family.
The Ural later returned to Türkiye. It reached waters off Samsun with tugboat escorts before docking at the port. Lazoglu’s body was handed over to his family and the injured sailors were taken to hospitals by ambulance.
Commercial shipping faces risks in Black Sea
Ukraine has carried out long-range strikes against Russian ports and shipping that it suspects of transporting Russian cargoes, according to the supplied reports.
The country has warned shipping companies to stay away from Russian Black Sea ports, saying the area is dangerous.
Naryman Dzhelialov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara, told Turkish outlet Yetkin Report that civilians were not the target of Ukrainian attacks but had become victims of the war.
“Before Russia attacked Ukraine, the Black Sea was a zone of peace. The Black Sea is not a safe place. Shipowners need to take this into account as well,” he said.
Russian officials have condemned attacks on civilian ships belonging to other countries and accused Ukraine of carrying out terrorist acts. Russia has also carried out strikes against Ukrainian Black Sea ports and shipping that it says is handling imports for the Ukrainian military.
References: turkiyetoday, apokalypsnu
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