7 Dead, 23 Missing: Cyprus Ferry Capsize Rescue Update

At least seven people have died and 23 remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, 30 August 2026. The privately owned catamaran, identified as Filojet, was carrying 259 passengers and 8 crew from Kyrenia (Girne) to the Turkish port of Tasucu when it began taking on water roughly 6–7.5 kilometres offshore. Rescue teams have brought 237–244 people to safety, according to Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

What happened to the Cyprus ferry?

The vessel departed Kyrenia harbour around 12:30 local time bound for Tasucu, a crossing used daily by tourists and residents. Shortly after leaving port, the ship issued a distress call and began to sink. Video circulated on social media showed survivors in red life jackets sitting on the overturned hull while others floated in the sea. The catamaran, built in 2000 and about 40 metres long and 10 metres wide, later sank in waters more than 500 metres deep. The disaster echoes recent Mediterranean maritime accidents that have prompted renewed safety reviews.

Rescue operation: how many were saved?

Northern Cyprus authorities confirmed 237 people were rescued alive in the first hours, though the prime minister later told CNN Türk that 244 had been brought to shore. "Human life is our sole priority," Üstel said. Search efforts continue for 23 people still unaccounted for at sea. The toll may rise as some reports put the death count at eight.

Assets deployed include:

• Turkish Cypriot and Turkish coastguard vessels
• Six Turkish naval ships
• Two helicopters and civilian boats
• Ambulances and medical teams at Kyrenia port

Coordination between Turkey and Northern Cyprus remains critical, similar to joint maritime rescue frameworks used in previous incidents in the eastern Mediterranean.

The vessel and route

Filojet is a high-speed passenger catamaran operated by Filo Denizcilik on the Girne–Tasucu route. The crossing is one of the busiest links between Turkey and Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus, a territory recognised only by Turkey. The ferry was carrying mostly Turkish and Turkish Cypriot passengers, according to local media. Kyrenia's mayor, Murat Şenkul, described the incident as "the worst tragedy in more than 40 years" since the territory proclaimed independence.

What caused the ferry to capsize?

The cause remains unknown. Transport Minister Erhan Arikli said an investigation will be launched. Early reports suggest the ship began taking on water for reasons not yet determined. The incident followed fierce storms on 29 August that killed one person in a separate boating accident, but no official link has been confirmed. Maritime investigators will examine whether structural failure, weather, or operational factors contributed. The disaster comes as passenger ferry safety standards face growing scrutiny across the region.

Regional response and implications

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences and said Türkiye had mobilised all available resources. The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus also offered immediate assistance. Erdoğan is scheduled to visit Northern Cyprus on Monday. The tragedy has renewed debate over ferry safety on the eastern Mediterranean route, where high-speed catamarans operate in often unpredictable sea conditions.

FAQ: Cyprus ferry capsize

How many people died in the Cyprus ferry capsize?
At least seven people have been confirmed dead, with some reports citing eight fatalities.

How many are still missing after the Cyprus ferry capsized?
Twenty-three people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday evening, according to Northern Cyprus authorities.

Where did the ferry capsize?
The ferry capsized about 6–7.5 kilometres off the coast of Kyrenia (Girne) in Northern Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean.

What caused the Cyprus ferry to capsize?
The cause is unknown. The vessel began taking on water shortly after departure, and an official investigation is underway.

What type of ship was the Filojet?
Filojet is a high-speed passenger catamaran built in 2000, about 40 metres long, used as a ferry between Girne and Tasucu, Turkey.