A significant rescue operation is in progress after a ferry carrying more than 260 individuals capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on August 30, 2026. The vessel, a catamaran-style ferry, departed from the port of Kyrenia (also known as Girne) around 12:30 p.m. local time, en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Turkish Cypriot coastguard boats and rescue helicopters were immediately dispatched to the scene. Footage from the incident shows individuals being pulled from the water and climbing onto orange lifeboats, with some seen awaiting rescue on the outer hull of the upturned vessel while wearing lifejackets.
According to The Kibris newspaper, the ferry began taking on water approximately four miles offshore. Ambulances have been dispatched to the vicinity.
Murat Senkul, the mayor of Kyrenia, stated that 159 of the 258 passengers on board had been reached by rescue crews. Erhan Arikli, the transport minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), reported that around 100 passengers had been evacuated and brought to shore.
Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz issued a statement on X, expressing deep sadness and confirming that search and rescue operations, involving TRNC and Republic of Turkey Coast Guard units, are continuing without interruption. He emphasized that the immediate priority is the rescue of passengers and crew and that Turkey is providing full support to the efforts.
