Turkey's coastguard launched a search and rescue operation early Wednesday after two Turkish-flagged commercial vessels collided in the Marmara Sea, resulting in contact being lost with one of the ships and its 10 crew members.

The collision occurred around 3:00 AM local time (00:00 GMT) approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Silivri, a district on the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. The incident took place in the busy Marmara Sea, a crucial waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.

Authorities confirmed that contact was lost with the crew of the vessel identified as Tugberk Imamoglu. The other vessel involved in the collision, the Alsu, reportedly sustained no visible damage. The Istanbul governor's office stated that numerous naval units from the coast guard's Marmara and Bosphorus Command, along with a coast guard helicopter, were immediately dispatched to the collision site.

The search operation is ongoing, with authorities prioritizing the recovery of the missing crew members. The loss of contact and the potential danger to the crew highlight the risks associated with maritime traffic, especially in congested shipping lanes.

While the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, maritime incidents in busy straits like the Bosphorus, which leads from the Marmara Sea, can have significant implications for regional and international shipping. Istanbul's governor's office has not yet released further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the impact.

The Marmara Sea is a vital transit route for commercial vessels, and collisions, though infrequent, can disrupt shipping schedules and pose environmental risks. The Turkish coastguard's swift response aims to mitigate any potential further dangers and to locate the missing sailors.

Officials have appealed for information and are coordinating with various maritime agencies to broaden the search area. The focus remains on finding survivors and understanding the full extent of the incident.

Further updates are expected as the search and rescue efforts continue throughout the day.