What Crew Members Say About Kybele

In a dramatic turn of events, a fierce fire erupted on the 'Kybele' at the Kuzey Star Shipyard in Istanbul's Tuzla district late at night on March 27, 2026. Flames were first spotted billowing from the storage room situated in the ship's foredeck, quickly escalating in intensity. Prompted by the sight of smoke, the crew executed a safe and timely evacuation, aided by vigilant shipyard personnel. Emergency response units, including specialized fire-fighting crews, local police, AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority), and medical teams, swiftly mobilized to address the crisis. For approximately two to three hours, these dedicated teams coordinated their efforts to bring the raging inferno under control, ultimately succeeding in extinguishing the fire. Throughout this challenging operation, security protocols were heightened around the shipyard to ensure the safety of all personnel involved. Following the extinguishment of the flames, cooling operations continued to prevent any reignition. Authorities have commenced an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding this incident. For further details and photographs, visit the reports on [Hürriyet](https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/tuzlada-kuru-yuk-gemisinde-yangin-43137971) and [Yeni Mesaj](https://www.yenimesaj.com.tr/tuzlada-kuru-yuk-gemisinde-yangin-cok-sayida-ekip-sevk-edildi-H1602648.htm).

A tragic accident unfolded on December 7, 2025, at approximately 5:50 p.m. aboard the 'Kybele' while docked at the Durres port, where it was unloading a cargo of wheat. A 24-year-old crew member, Avaz Yafaro, hailing from Azerbaijan, suffered a fatal electric shock while executing his responsibilities. Emergency services responded swiftly, rushing the affected crew member to a local hospital in Durres. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the medical facility. Authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the complete details surrounding this unfortunate event.