Russian swimmer goes missing in Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait during int'l race

Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov went missing in Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait during an international race the previous day, the Istanbul Governor's Office announced Monday, reported Xinhua.

The 37th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee on Sunday, brought together 2,820 athletes from 81 countries and regions who swam from the Asian to the European side of the strait.

The governor's office said that at the end of the 6.5-kilometer course, 29-year-old professional swimming coach Svechnikov was confirmed to have started the race but did not reach the finish line.

Following the missing report, coast guard units began search and scanning operations along the course and throughout the Bosphorus, but have not found any trace of the swimmer, according to the office.

The Olympic Committee stated that the race was "conducted at the highest safety standards, with the coordination of all state security units and the support of Türkiye's esteemed institutions."

In a statement about the missing swimmer, the committee noted that a total of 100 boats and marine vessels were deployed for the event, ensuring continuous monitoring and the safety of every swimmer along the course.

"We are working in full cooperation with the Coast Guard and police to clarify the situation," it added.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Connecting the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea, the 30-km-long Bosphorus Strait is known for its strong currents.