The search operation for 43-year-old businessman Halit Yukay, who went missing after setting sail from Yalova to Bozcaada, has entered its seventh day. As the efforts continue across the Marmara Sea, new details have surfaced linking a suspect vessel to the fatal collision that left Yukay’s boat shattered and partially submerged.
The Incident and Ongoing Investigation
Yukay’s vessel, named Graywolf, was discovered in a severely damaged and half-sunken state, prompting an immediate investigation by the Yalova Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Initial examinations revealed suspicious white friction marks on the wreck, later confirmed to match the hull of the cargo ship Arel 7.
This crucial evidence led to the arrest of the Arel 7’s captain, who now faces legal proceedings in connection with the suspected collision. The investigation continues, with maritime authorities working to reconstruct the exact sequence of events that caused the disaster.
Final Phone Call with Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ
A striking new revelation involves popular Turkish actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, who was reportedly the last person to speak with Yukay before the accident. According to Sabah’s Yusuf Günaydın, the two were in conversation when the call was abruptly cut off.
Concerned by the sudden disconnection, Tatlıtuğ immediately contacted Yukay’s father to share his worries. Their friendship was well-known—just last month, Tatlıtuğ had purchased one of Yukay’s boats, and the two men had been meeting frequently.
Actor Joins Search Efforts
Upon hearing of the accident, Tatlıtuğ traveled directly to Narlı village in Erdek, where search operations were being coordinated. He reportedly spent hours closely monitoring the work of the Coast Guard teams, offering moral support to Yukay’s family and friends.
The actor has also made public appeals for assistance in the search, urging anyone with information to come forward. His involvement has drawn widespread media attention, underscoring the urgency of the case.
Search Operations in the Marmara Sea
Coast Guard units, supported by divers, drones, and sonar-equipped vessels, continue to scour the waters between Yalova and Bozcaada. Despite challenging weather and sea conditions, teams remain hopeful of finding signs of the missing businessman.
Authorities are also investigating whether navigational errors, maritime traffic density, or violations of shipping lanes contributed to the incident. The confirmed hull markings on Arel 7 have strengthened suspicions of a high-impact collision, potentially at night or in low-visibility conditions.
A Developing Case with High Public Interest
The combination of a high-profile missing person case, celebrity involvement, and possible maritime negligence has made the incident a major national news story in Türkiye. Public attention is now focused on whether further arrests will follow and if the investigation will uncover systemic safety gaps in the busy Marmara Sea shipping corridors.
As the seventh day of the search draws to a close, the hope for locating Halit Yukay remains alive, while legal proceedings against those potentially responsible are expected to intensify.
