TRABZON - Turkish ship ''Selcuk Express'', which leaned to one side on Friday midnight because of bad weather conditions, sank on Monday, making all rescue efforts fail.
Trabzon Port Chairman Cemal Kilic said the ship sank 57 miles south of Russian Federation.
Kilic said the ship was pulled by a tugboat belonging to Russian Federation, and but it was later dragged for a few miles as the rope pulling the ship broke off at 01.40 local time. Kilic said the ship sank around 07.05 local time.
Kilic said the crew members and the passengers were evacuated and there were no casualties.
Selcuk Express, en route from Trabzon to Sochi, had leaned to one side on December 19, 2003 off shores of Sochi. The 27 crew members and six passengers on the ship were rescued by Turkish Ship ''Clipper Asya'' and were brought to Sochi. A crew member, who was injured during the accident, was taken under treatment. Later, the 26 crew members and six passengers were brought to Trabzon.
(AY-AÖ) 22.12.2003