ISTANBUL, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish coast guard on Friday rescued 15 crew members from a freighter that caught fire off Istanbul in the Marmara Sea.
The fire broke out early in the morning in the living area of the cargo ship carrying the flag of Togo, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement.
The crew, including ten Syrians, three Indians and two Egyptians, were evacuated safely from the vessel and all are in good health, according to Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
The fire brigade took the fire under control in an hour, press reports said, adding there was no immediate leak of oil despite heavy damage.
The ship sailing from the Lebanese capital of Beirut dropped anchor off the shores of Istanbul's Pendik district on Wednesday, according to the NTV broadcaster.
