Authorities in Andros have apprehended the captain and watch officer of the Turkish-operated freighter Corsage C, which sank off the island’s northern coast early Wednesday. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the crew, which included eight Turkish nationals and one from Azerbaijan. The vessel was en route from Croatia to Ukraine, carrying 3,000 metric tons of soda, when it struck rocks and sank before dawn. Both officers face charges of negligence related to the incident, with investigations ongoing to determine the exact cause of the sinking. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were reported to be fair.
In response to the wreck, authorities initiated a significant operation aimed at preventing environmental damage, as the Corsage C contained an undisclosed amount of fuel in its tanks. Coast Guard personnel deployed two specialized cleanup vessels from Rafina, eastern Attica, and established a floating boom around the sunken ship to contain any potential fuel leakage.
Initially, a substantial response was mounted, including four patrol boats, three nearby merchant vessels, a fishing boat, and an airforce helicopter. Two crew members were rescued from the water, while the remaining crew was located on land. The situation remains under close monitoring as efforts continue to mitigate any environmental impact.
