Rescue boats bring passengers to shore from a capsized boat in northern Cyprus, in this screengrab taken from a video.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
At least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday (August 30, 2026), Turkish media reported.
Some 237 people have been rescued, Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT news channel. He said a search was underway for another 24 people.
Mr Ustel said the ferry encountered adverse weather and began taking on water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, he said.
The catamaran-style ferry was travelling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the ship belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank off the coast of Diana beach on Cyprus’ northern coast.
The ferry started taking in water about 7.5 kilometers (4 nautical miles) off the coast, TRT reported.
Video footage from the scene shows people with life-vests floating in the waters around the capsized vessel.
Published – August 30, 2026 06:17 pm IST
