MOSCOW/ANKARA, August 13 (RIA Novosti) - A ferry has collided with a Ukrainian cargo ship at the entry to the Bosporus, injuring at least 40 people, Turkish television said Monday.
Turkish media initially reported that it collided with a Russian vessel, but it later turned out that the cargo vessel, the Semyon Rudnev, was Ukrainian.
After the collision, the Salih Reis ferry started sinking, with coast guard units and helicopters involved in the rescue effort. Ambulances rushed to the scene to carry the injured to nearby hospitals.
Several ferry passengers are in serious condition, local media said.
The Semyon Rudnev was anchored in the Sea of Marmara at the entry to the Bosporus, when the Turkish ferry crashed into it, the Russian general consulate in Istanbul said.
"The incident happened at 10:55 a.m. local time (7:55 a.m. GMT). The Ukrainian vessel was at anchor. It received slight damage in the fore," said Oleg Bashtakov, the Russian consulate for maritime affairs, adding that none of the Ukrainian sailors were injured.
He said that after the collision the ferry returned to dock in the European part of Istanbul.
Local authorities said the cause of the incident is still unknown and that an investigation is underway.
