At least Seven Dead After Ferry Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus

At least seven people have died after a passenger ferry carrying 267 people, including crew members, capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said rescue teams had recovered hundreds of people, while others were still reported missing. The incident occurred a few kilometres off the coast of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, shortly after the privately operated catamaran left the port for Taşucu in southern Türkiye.

According to officials, the ferry began taking on water shortly after departing at around 12:30 p.m. local time. The captain issued a distress call, prompting the Northern Cyprus Coast Guard and port authorities to launch an immediate search-and-rescue operation.

Passenger ships, pilotage vessels and coast guard helicopters were deployed to the area, while the Turkish Naval Forces also sent six naval units to assist in the rescue effort.

Television footage showed the overturned ferry in the sea, with several survivors wearing life jackets and sitting on top of the vessel’s orange hull. Other boats were seen assisting at the scene.

Northern Cyprus authorities said injured passengers were being taken to Girne Port before being transferred to local hospitals. Hospitals across the territory were also placed on alert to receive casualties.

The cause of the ferry accident remains unknown. Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı said authorities would investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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