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A 30-year-old Russian swimmer, Nikolay Svechnikov, went missing during a 6.5-kilometer intercontinental swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait on Sunday, prompting search efforts and halting vessel traffic through the waterway.
Svechnikov, who started among the first swimmers under number 2554 from the third ship, disappeared from view mid-race and never reached the finish line, according to relatives and organizers. His belongings remain unclaimed at the storage facility.
"Swimmers saw Nikolay for the last time in the middle of the Bosphorus. The maritime service claims that Nikolay's signal was last recorded on the shore," his relative Alena told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti.
A close friend of Svechnikov said no action was taken regarding the swimmer's disappearance until 4 p.m., approximately an hour and a half after he went missing.
Alena stated that Istanbul police were prepared to accept a report and begin searching for the man only after 24 hours had passed since his disappearance.
The Russian Consulate General in Istanbul is preparing an inquiry to Turkish authorities regarding the incident.
"We are preparing a request to the competent Turkish authorities on this matter," consulate officials told RIA Novosti.
Svechnikov's wife has flown to Istanbul while family and friends attempt to coordinate search efforts through various channels, including search teams, the embassy and consulate.
"We're trying to reach all levels: search teams, embassy, consulate. So far everything is difficult," the friend told RT.
The family has raised questions about the race organization, particularly regarding safety measures.
The friend expressed the family's concerns to RT: "They don't understand why elementary safety measures weren't observed and why Nikolay's disappearance was only noticed after an hour or hour and a half."
Search efforts continue as of today, August 28, with marine police, coast guard units, and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Underwater Search and Rescue teams carrying out detailed sweeps across the Bosphorus, particularly between Kanlica and Kurucesme.
Amateur Turkish swimmer Hayati Samiloglu, who also competed in the race, told media he saw Svechnikov swimming southeast, away from the main group.
Samiloglu said he shouted “bro bro” repeatedly and eventually warned him in English, “Wrong way,” while pointing him back. Svechnikov, described as strong and very fast, looked at him but signaled as if he knew what he was doing and continued in the same direction.
Samiloglu later told authorities he believes Svechnikov may have reached the shore rather than drowned, noting that weather and current conditions in the Bosphorus were mild on the day of the race. “He swam as if he had a goal in mind. It did not look like he was disoriented,” he said.
The Turkish participant also questioned the effectiveness of the electronic chips used in the race, which only record swimmers at the start and finish points. He argued that more advanced tracking systems are needed to ensure safety in future races.
First-time Bosphorus swimmer
Despite swimming since age 5 and running his own swimming school in Moscow where he worked as a coach, this was Svechnikov's first attempt at crossing the Bosphorus, according to his friend who spoke to RT.
"Of all people, Nikolay should have made it. We talked a day before he disappeared, I told him: 'The main thing is that you finish.' He answered me: 'I'll finish, what else would I do?!'" the friend recounted.
The friend, Dmitry Mikhalev, warned about the inherent risks of the Bosphorus crossing.
"One needs to understand the realities of the Bosphorus. It's really a very large water space... There are crazy underwater currents there," Mikhalev said.
TMOK released a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident.
"The disappearance of one of our athletes during the race has deeply saddened all of us. We are acting in full cooperation with Coast Guard and police to clarify the incident," the organization stated.
According to TMOK's timeline, the race began at 10:04 a.m., with the final swimmer entering the water at 10:54 a.m. The race concluded at 12:54 p.m., two hours after the last swimmer's entry, as per regulations.
Officials discovered Svechnikov's absence only after conducting post-race checks of disqualified and rescued swimmers. The information was immediately shared with the Coast Guard Command, Police Marine Department, and Istanbul Governorate.
Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the disappearance. Search operations continue in the Kanlica-Kurucesme area and surrounding waters, involving marine police and coast guard teams.
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