Six dead, 24 missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus
At least six people died after a ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew capsized off northern Cyprus on August 30, 2026; officials said 237 were rescued and 24 remained missing.
In short
- At least six people died after a ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew capsized off northern Cyprus on August 30, 2026; officials said 237 were rescued and 24 remained missing.
At least six people were killed after a passenger ferry capsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday, August 30, 2026, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation for those still missing.
The catamaran-style vessel was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members from Kyrenia, also known as Girne, to Taşucu in Turkey’s Mersin province when it began taking on water about 7.5 kilometres off the coast, according to reporting by The Guardian citing Turkish Cypriot and Turkish officials.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel told state broadcaster TRT that 237 people had been rescued and 24 remained missing. Some survivors were taken to hospital. Video from the area showed people in life jackets in the water around the overturned vessel.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Şenkul said the ferry, operated by Filo Denizcilik, sank near Diana beach. Coastguard personnel, another passenger vessel and smaller boats joined the rescue effort.
Early figures changed as the operation developed: Al Jazeera initially reported 172 people rescued and 89 missing, while the later Guardian report cited the updated total of 237 rescued. Authorities had not yet announced what caused the ferry to capsize.
