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Hospitals discharge shipwreck survivors as search for 18 missing continues

In-Cyprus · 2026-08-31

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: A passenger ship capsized off the coast of Kyrenia, resulting in eight confirmed deaths and 18 people still missing, while 241 survivors have been rescued. The captain and seven crew members have been arrested. • Why it matters: The incident has prompted the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" to declare three days of national mourning, highlighting the tragedy's impact on the community and the ongoing search and rescue efforts involving multiple agencies. • What to watch next: Continued search operations are expected, with additional resources from Turkey arriving to assist in locating the missing individuals, as well as updates on the condition of the survivors and the investigation into the cause of the disaster.

Local accidentoccupied northTop News Hospitals discharge shipwreck survivors as search for 18 missing continues Image 511 Relevant News Hospitals discharge shipwreck survivors as search for 18 missing continues 31 August 2026 35 degree peak, mostly clear skies on Monday 31 August 2026 Captain and seven crew members arrested following Kyrenia ferry disaster 30 August 2026 newsroom 31 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) has declared three days of national mourning, from August 31 until sunset on September 2, 2026, following the capsizing of a passenger ship travelling between Kyrenia (Girne) and Taşucu off the Kyrenia coast. The “Council of Ministers” made the decision over the loss of life caused by the disaster. Of the 267 passengers who were on board, 249 have so far been reached: 241 were rescued alive and eight died. Search and rescue teams are continuing efforts to find the remaining 18 missing people. The identities of four of the eight victims have been confirmed, while efforts to identify the remaining four are ongoing. Search and rescue operations Search efforts are continuing uninterrupted through the night, with four vessels equipped with night-vision capability and two helicopters working the area, supported by drones deployed from Turkey operating on a 24-hour basis. Turkey has committed three aircraft, four UAVs, six helicopters, four Coast Guard boats, a patrol boat, a frigate and a patrol vessel to the operation. The “TRNC” has contributed four Coast Guard boats, two helicopters, a patrol boat and a patrol vessel, alongside Civil Defence and police teams. Additional ship from Turkey “Tourism Minister” Fikri Ataoğlu said a further ship from Turkey is expected to join the search and will likely reach the area on Tuesday, allowing search teams to attempt to reach the missing at depths of around 500 metres. He said search efforts would continue the following morning, and that rescue teams had reached the scene around midday after the incident occurred. Ataoğlu attributed the rescue of 249 people to the intensive efforts of citizens and rescue teams alongside the eight deaths. Hospital update “Health Minister” Hakan Dinçyürek visited Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia early on Monday morning to give an update on the injured. He said all necessary precautions had been taken from the first moment of the incident, with the injured gathered at designated centres to avoid disrupting health services. Dinçyürek said patients who had completed treatment were being discharged gradually, that the number of patients still receiving inpatient care had fallen sharply compared with the first hours after the accident, and that no patients remained in critical condition. (Information from Yeni Duzen and Kibris Postasi) Read more: Panic and distress captured inside passenger ship before it sank off Kyrenia Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News 35 degree peak, mostly clear skies on Monday Captain and seven crew members arrested following Kyrenia ferry disaster RoC assistance not needed in Kyrenia boat disaster, authorities say Cape Greco tragedy: Rescue teams battled 6 Beaufort seas to save four people, JRCC chief says Kyrenia boat disaster death toll rises to eight, 17 still missing Panic and distress captured inside passenger ship before it sank off Kyrenia Cyprus offers assistance after deadly ship sinking off Kyrenia Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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