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At least six people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish media reported. More than 172 people have been rescued, Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT news channel.
A passenger ferry carrying 270 people sank off North Cyprus early Sunday after departing Kyrenia for Tasucu, Turkey; rescue efforts saved about 100 passengers, with operations continuing to find any missing individuals.
According to the PTI, the number of deaths reported is six and the rescue operation is on to help bring the passengers to shore safely.
The catamaran type ferry had left from the port of Kyrenia (Girne), located in the north of Cyprus, and was heading towards Tasucu in Mersin, Turkey.
According to local sources, the boat started to take water in about four miles from the shore and later overturned.
Ambulances and other emergency services were dispatched to the spot.
Terrifying footage captures the moment a passenger ferry with 279 people capsizes off the coast of Northern Cyprus.
Passengers can be seen scrambling onto the overturned keel and jumping into open water as the ship went down just miles after departing the port of Kyrenia.
— Predictivemoney (@Predictivemoney) August 30, 2026
Around 100 Passengers Rescued
Cyprus Transport Minister Erhan Arikli said through Turkish national broadcaster TRT that the ship had capsized and that rescue teams had arrived at the site.
As per reports, about 100 people had been saved and brought back to Kyrenia, while the rescue operation was still underway.
Passengers Seen Wearing Life Jackets
Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed people wearing life jackets and floating in the water around the overturned ferry. The visuals indicated that passengers had been able to evacuate the vessel and enter the water as emergency teams arrived.
Authorities continued searching the area for anyone who might still be missing.
Ferry Was Heading To Turkey
The ferry was travelling on the busy route between Kyrenia and Tasucu, a maritime connection between northern Cyprus and southern Turkey.
Several ferry operators run services along the route, but reports had not immediately identified the company operating the vessel involved in Sunday’s incident.
Authorities are expected to investigate what caused the ferry to take on water and overturn.
Emergency Services Put On Alert
The Health Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said preparations had been made for a rapid response from rescue and medical teams.
Ambulances were dispatched as part of the emergency response, while rescue crews continued working around the site of the capsized vessel.
The number of people rescued and the status of the remaining passengers were expected to become clearer as the operation progressed.
Another Boat Capsizes Off Tunisia
The North Cyprus incident comes amid another fatal boat accident off the coast of southern Tunisia. A migrant boat reportedly capsized after departing between Zarzis and Ben Guerdane.
Tunisia’s National Guard said around 15 people were believed to have been aboard. At least two bodies were recovered, while 12 people were reported missing and one survivor was rescued.
The recovered bodies were taken to a hospital on the nearby island of Djerba, according to Tunisian authorities.
