30.08.2026 15:00
A passenger ship carrying 267 people capsized off the coast of Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) due to a severe storm. While search and rescue efforts continue uninterrupted, TRNC Minister of Transport Erhan Arıklı said, 'There are seriously injured and passengers in normal condition. We know there are casualties, but it is not possible for us to provide any information about the number.'
A passenger ship cruising off the coast of Kyrenia sank after succumbing to a violent storm that suddenly took effect in the region. Following the incident, a large-scale search and rescue operation was launched in the area. The survivors recovered from the sea are being rapidly brought to shore and transferred to surrounding hospitals via ambulances standing by.
MINISTER ARIKLI: WE KNOW WE HAVE LOSSES
Making statements regarding the disaster, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Minister of Transport Erhan Arıklı stated that the ship carried a total of 267 people, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members. Noting that the passenger list also included 4 German and 3 Iranian nationals, Arıklı shared the following information about the latest situation on the ground:
"It is not possible for us to give the number of those rescued right now. Because the transfer from the ship to the shore is still ongoing. They are being transferred from there to hospitals by ambulances. There are seriously injured and passengers in normal condition. We know there are losses, but it is not possible for us to give any information about the number."
AMBASSADOR TO NICOSIA BAŞÇERİ: THERE ARE CASUALTIES
Türkiye's Ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Başçeri, participated in a TRT Haber broadcast and shared official information regarding the situation on the ground.
Evaluating the results of the search and rescue efforts carried out with the support of the Coast Guard, civilian boats, and helicopters, Ambassador Başçeri stated that the majority of the passengers thrown into the sea clung to life thanks to the teams' rapid intervention. Başçeri announced the sad news with these words:
"Many people were brought to shore, the vast majority of the 259 passengers were rescued. However, unfortunately, there are casualties."
TRNC PRIME MINISTER ÜNSEL: THERE ARE THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
TRNC Prime Minister Üstel reported that there were those who lost their lives on the ferry that capsized off the coast of Kyrenia carrying 267 people, and that they have mobilized all resources for the rescue.