Two abandoned vessels damaged during the continuing conflict in the Black Sea were reported drifting toward the Turkish coastline, prompting local residents to alert authorities. The Turkish Coast Guard reportedly responded and took control of the area as the unmanned vessels approached the shore.

The larger vessel was identified as the Golden Sapling, a 19,455-deadweight-ton product tanker owned by Chinese interests and registered in Hong Kong. Built in 1999, the vessel was heading toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk when it was reportedly struck by a drone on August 26.

Turkish media reported that the tanker was about 90 nautical miles from Sinop, Türkiye, when the incident occurred. Its 21 crew members abandoned the vessel and were later rescued by the Greek-flagged tanker Maran Pythia.

The incident adds to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea as the conflict continues to affect vessels operating in the region. Turkish authorities were reported to be handling the situation after the abandoned vessels drifted toward the country\'s coastline.