What happened to the ferry off northern Cyprus and how many people were on board?

At least six people died after the catamaran-style ferry capsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday. The vessel was carrying nearly 270 people in total, including 259 passengers and eight crew members.

How many people were rescued after the ferry capsize off northern Cyprus?

More than 172 people were rescued, according to Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel. Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Basceri said some of the rescued passengers were taken to hospital.

At least 6 dead after ferry carrying nearly 270 capsizes off northern Cyprus

Q: Where was the ferry going when it capsized off Cyprus?

It was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in northern Cyprus to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province. Turkish media said it began taking in water about 7.5 kilometers off the coast.

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Summary

At least six people died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday. More than 172 people were rescued, and some of the injured were taken to hospital. The catamaran-style ferry was traveling from Kyrenia to Tasucu in Turkey when it started taking in water about 7.5 kilometers off Cyprus’ northern coast. Turkish media reported that the vessel belonged to Filo Denizcilik and sank off Diana beach.

Key Facts

The ferry carried 259 passengers and eight crew members, according to Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Basceri.
Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel said more than 172 people had been rescued.
The ferry was traveling from Kyrenia, also known as Girne, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
The vessel started taking in water about 7.5 kilometers off the coast, TRT reported.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the ferry belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank off Diana beach on Cyprus’ northern coast.

By AP

Published Aug 30, 2026 10:20 pm KST
Updated Aug 30, 2026 10:31 pm KST

Survivors arrive on shore after being rescued from the sea following a boat capsize off Kyrenia, northern Cyprus, Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap

BODRUM, Turkey — 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.

The catamaran-style ferry was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.

Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Basceri said there were some casualties, but did not specify how many, speaking to Turkey’s state-run TRT news channel.

Many of the 259 passengers and eight crew members were rescued, Basceri said, adding that some were taken to hospital.

Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the ship belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank off the coast of Diana beach on Cyprus’ northern coast.

The ferry started taking in water about 7.5 kilometers off the coast, TRT reported.

Video footage from the scene shows people with life vests floating in the waters around the capsized vessel.

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