NGO: Dozens of cattle died on board Turkish intercepted ship

The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) reported on Friday that at least 58 cattle have died on a cargo ship off the coast of Turkey, which has been prevented from entering port by the authorities.

The organisation said court documents revealed alarming and deteriorating conditions on board the "Spiridon II“", which had brought some 2,900 cattle, mostly calves, from Uruguay.

She reported that 58 cattle died en route from Uruguay and at least 40 cows calved during the journey.

AWF issued a statement indicating that most of the dead animals were newly arrived calves that were kept in an overcrowded pen.

The organisation stated that it had appealed to the Turkish authorities to allow the cattle to be brought ashore, but had received no reply. The ship, which left Uruguay on 19 September, has been in port since 21 October near the port of Bandirma, off the western coast of Turkey.

Turkish authorities claim to have found inaccuracies in the cattle's health certificates.

Other NGOs have complained about the incident and the export company has taken legal action. The Turkish media has drawn attention to the stench surrounding the vessel.