Kairos is sanctioned by the UK and European Union and Virat by the US and EU.
Local media reported officials said the explosions were caused by “external intervention” and took place in Turkey’s territorial waters.
Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey’s minister of transport and infrastructure, confirmed that the tankers were not holding oil at the time of the attacks, and said rescue efforts were under way.
He confirmed that 25 crew members had successfully been evacuated from the Kairos, while the condition of the 20 crew members aboard the Virat was “good”.
