Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Passenger Boat Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus as Rescue Underway
A boat carrying many people overturned near Northern Cyprus.
It began filling with water about four miles from Kyrenia Port.
Reports gave different numbers for how many people were aboard.
Turkey’s Interior Ministry first said there were 259 passengers and eight crew members.
It later put the total at 267 people.
Another report said there were 258 passengers.
Kyrenia’s mayor said 159 people had been reached.
Many boats and helicopters were sent to search for and help those on board.
Authorities said the rescue operation was still continuing, but casualty details were not immediately available.
A passenger vessel carrying around 270 people capsized off Northern Cyprus on Sunday.
Turkey’s Interior Ministry said 259 passengers and eight crew members were aboard, later reporting 267 people in total.
The vessel began taking on water about four nautical miles off Kyrenia Port and was at risk of sinking.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said 159 people had been reached, while another report referred to 159 of 258 passengers.
Multiple coast guard, naval and civilian vessels, helicopters, rescue teams and ambulances joined the operation.
- Who
- A passenger vessel carrying around 270 people, along with Turkish and Northern Cypriot rescue authorities.
- What
- The vessel began taking on water and capsized, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation.
- When
- Sunday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- About four nautical miles, or roughly four miles, off Kyrenia Port on the coast of Northern Cyprus.
- Why
- The vessel began taking on water; the articles do not explain why.
- Reported people aboard
- Around 270 people; Turkey’s Interior Ministry reported 259 passengers and eight crew members, later giving a total of 267.
- Alternative passenger figure
- Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul was reported as saying 159 of 258 passengers had been reached.
- Location
- About four nautical miles off Kyrenia Port, Northern Cyprus.
- Rescue vessels
- The Northern Cyprus Coast Guard sent four vessels; Turkey’s Coast Guard Command sent five more.
- Helicopters
- Turkey’s Coast Guard Command deployed two helicopters.
- Naval support
- The Turkish Naval Forces Command assigned six naval vessels.
- Casualties
- Further casualty details were not immediately available.
