Istanbul: A Turkish merchant ship was attacked by drones in the Black Sea, injuring four of its crew members. Turkish media reported that a Turkish cargo ship was attacked by drones early this morning while sailing in the Black Sea en route to a Russian port, and that four of its crew members sustained various injuries.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ship was carrying fruits and vegetables from Turkey to Russia and was attacked by Ukrainian drones, resulting in injuries to four crew members, three of whom are in critical condition. The Turkish news agency IHA reported details of the attack, quoting the ship's captain, Yal§in Sahin.

Sahin stated that the attack was carried out by the Ukrainian side using between six and seven drones, and that the attack occurred at 4:30 AM. One of the drones struck the bow of the ship, causing a fire, which contributed to the injuries sustained by the crew.

There are 22 crew members on board, including 13 Turkish citizens, as confirmed by Sahin to the Turkish news agency. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the risks faced by commercial vessels navigating the Black Sea.