The disappearance of 28-year-old Albanian Erkan Nika after a drone attack on a Turkish ship in the Black Sea has prompted a public appeal from his family for institutional help. So far, according to his father’s testimony, he is the only crew member not listed among those rescued.
Family appeal to the authorities
The young man’s father, Rexh Nika, has asked Albanian institutions to become involved in efforts to find his son. The family’s appeal also extends to authorities and health structures in countries around the Black Sea.
He has called for records of unidentified patients, injured people and individuals found in coastal areas to be checked, in an effort to determine whether there is any trace of the 28-year-old.
What is known about the ship and the crew
Erkan Nika worked as second engineer on the cargo ship Aroyat. According to his father, the vessel had departed from the port of Durres and there were 16 crew members on board.
The drone attack, according to information made public by the family, took place near the port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. It is reported that 15 people from the crew were rescued, while Erkan Nika does not appear on that list.
Last contact with the 28-year-old
The family says its last communication with Erkan Nika was several days before the incident. His father says he received the last message the following morning, after having written to him the night before.
In that communication, the 28-year-old had informed the family that they were in the Black Sea. After the attack, according to relatives, there has been no further information about his fate.
A more active role expected from institutions
The case once again raises questions about the response and the real weight of Albanian institutions when Albanian citizens are involved in serious incidents abroad. At this stage, the family’s request is direct: verification, coordination with foreign authorities and concrete engagement in the search for the young man.
For the Nika family, every hour without information further deepens the uncertainty over Erkan’s fate. He had worked in the maritime sector for years.
Erkan Nika, 28, remains missing after the attack on the ship where he served as second engineer, while his family is asking that the search not remain only at the level of a public appeal.
So far, the information made public shows that he is the only person from the crew who does not appear among the 15 rescued.