Istanbul - A Russian-flagged tanker broke in two and its bows sank yesterday near the mouth of the Bosphorus, among the world's busiest shipping routes, spilling oil onto Istanbul's residential coastline.
Turkish coast guards rescued twelve of the 17-man crew of the Volganeft 248 which ran aground in strong winds overnight. Five other crew members chose to stay on board. Thick layers of sludge washed into a nearby residential district, coating roads and sidewalk cafes.
Tankers use the straits to transport oil from Russia and the Caucasus and Turkey is unable to restrict the traffic since the straits are governed by the 1936 Montreux Convention which guarantees free passage to merchant vessels in time of peace.
The Greek Foreign Minister, Mr George Papandreou, will visit Turkey next month to sign co-operation agreements on cultural ties, tourism and fighting terrorism, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said yesterday. Nine agreements are ready for signing, a government spokesman said in Ankara.