ISTANBUL, March 26 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish crude oil tanker carrying 140,000 tons of oil from Russia was struck by a drone in the Black Sea off Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait on Thursday, local broadcaster NTV reported.
The vessel, identified as the Altura, was approximately 24 km off the Bosphorus Strait when a large explosion occurred, the report said.
The tanker sustained significant damage to its bridge and engine room, with the latter taking on water, it said.
After the tanker sent a distress signal, the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety and the Coast Guard dispatched several units to the scene, including an emergency response ship.
All 27 Turkish crew members on board are in good health, with no injuries reported, NTV said, adding that emergency operations are ongoing.
Turkish authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the origin of the drone or whether the incident was a targeted attack. ■
