A 69-meter-long cargo ship sank in the southwest of Imralı Island in the Sea of Marmara, despite rescue efforts, Paralel.Az reports citing Turkish media.

An operation to save the six crew members onboard has commenced.

In the statement made by the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, it was noted that KEGM-6 and KIYEM-4 fast rescue boats belonging to the General Directorate of Coastal Safety of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure were immediately directed to the scene for the 69-meter-long general cargo ship named "BATUHAN A."

Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtas said that following the incident, two teams from the General Directorate of Coastal Police, as well as a team from Bandırma district of Balıkesir, were sent to the region.

"Efforts are underway to save the crew of six, who are considered to be Turkish citizens, on the ship that sank," Demirtaş said.

Demirtaş stated that the height of the waves in the area where the ship sank was approaching 3 meters and that the Coast Guard Command was coordinating with the rescue teams from its campus in the Mudanya district.

Demirtaş added that the Coast Guard Command and the General Directorate of Coastal Police continue to work in the area.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said in a statement that at 7:12 a.m., the AIS signal from the ship named Batuhan A was abruptly cut off. As the vessel failed to respond to communication attempts, authorities declared a "danger phase."

The Batuhan A departed from Marmara Island bound for Gemlik around 8 p.m. the previous evening, carrying cargo.