Confined Space Accident on Russian Freighter Claims Two Lives in Turkey

Two seafarers tragically lost their lives in a confined-space accident aboard the Russian freighter Navis 2 at the port of Bandirma, Turkey. The ship arrived with a cargo of animal feed and moved to a pier for offloading. On Friday, two crew members were found poisoned by gas in one of the cargo holds, prompting a response team to recover their bodies.

The victims, Dmitrii Mochalov (52) and Konstantine Martynov (46), both Russian nationals, were taken to the regional morgue for examination. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Confined space accidents are a persistent danger for seafarers, often leading to multiple fatalities due to undetectable hazards like poison gas or low oxygen levels.

The coastal freighter Navis 2, built in 2019 and flying the Russian flag, frequently visits ports in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. As of Sunday, the Navis 2 remained docked in Bandirma following the tragic accident. Confined space accidents have claimed over 300 lives since 1996, including 31 in 2023, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by seafarers.

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