Catamaran ferry sinks off Kyrenia coast leaving eight dead and twenty missing

A tragic maritime accident occurred on August 30, 2026, when a passenger catamaran traveling from Kyrenia in the occupied north of Cyprus to Tasucu, Turkey, capsized and sank four nautical miles off the coast. The vessel, which had 267 people on board, experienced water ingress before overturning. As of August 31, authorities confirmed eight deaths and twenty people missing, following a revised count. Two of the victims are reported to be Turkish Cypriots, while the others are citizens of Turkey.

The wreckage currently lies at a depth of over 500 meters, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities have arrested the captain, the seven-member crew, and the director of the operating company, Filojet, on charges of causing death by negligence, with a three-day detention order issued. A three-day mourning period has been declared in the region until September 2.

Ongoing search and rescue operations involve maritime and aerial assets, with additional specialized support arriving from Turkey. Officials expect a specialized vessel from the Dardanelles to reach the site by Tuesday to attempt deeper exploration of the submerged hull to determine if any survivors remain trapped inside. Meanwhile, families gathered at the port in despair, with some attempting to stop ambulances seeking information about their missing relatives.