RismadarVoice Reporters, 30 August 2026
A major search and rescue operation is underway after a passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.
The vessel, which was travelling from Kyrenia (Girne) in northern Cyprus to the Turkish port of Taşucu in Mersin province, began taking on water shortly after leaving port before overturning several kilometres offshore.
Reports indicate that between about 260 and 270 people, including passengers and crew members, were on board the ferry when the incident occurred. Turkish Cypriot authorities deployed coast guard vessels, rescue teams, ambulances and other boats to assist with the emergency response.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Şenkul said rescuers had already reached several passengers, while emergency services continued efforts to locate and assist everyone affected.
Footage from the scene showed passengers wearing life jackets in the water around the overturned vessel as rescue teams worked to bring people to safety.
The cause of the ferry’s capsizing remains unclear, and authorities have not released a full assessment of casualties or injuries as rescue operations continue.
Officials from northern Cyprus said all available resources had been mobilised to support the rescue effort, with hospitals and medical teams placed on alert to receive rescued passengers.
