Kyrenia boat disaster death toll climbs to seven, as 23 unaccounted for

Local accidentTop Newsturkey Kyrenia boat disaster death toll climbs to seven, as 23 unaccounted for Image 512 Relevant News Kyrenia boat disaster death toll climbs to seven, as 23 unaccounted for 30 August 2026 Six dead, dozens unaccounted for after ferry carrying 267 capsizes off Kyrenia 30 August 2026 Dead and injured reported after passenger ferry overturns off Kyrenia 30 August 2026 newsroom 30 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber At least seven people have died after a passenger ferry carrying 267 people took on water and capsized off the coast of Kyrenia on Sunday afternoon. The vessel, identified as the catamaran Express owned by Filo Denizcilik (Filo Jet), departed the port about an hour late after harbour authorities initially refused clearance due to severe weather. Shortly after leaving, the ferry was caught in a storm and began taking on water from its bow for reasons that remain under investigation. Initial reports from Turkish Cypriot media indicate that the aging fibreglass structure suffered severe damage, causing the ship to break in two and raising questions over whether its construction materials were suitable for navigation. Turkish Cypriot “prime minister” Ünal Üstel confirmed in a broadcast to TRT that 237 people have been rescued so far, while seven bodies have been recovered. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for 23 missing individuals. Üstel noted that the vessel was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members. Search and rescue efforts are being supported by military units, coast guard vessels, private boats, and helicopters. Kyrenia “mayor” Murat Şenkul noted that many of those unaccounted for during initial headcounts were floating in life jackets awaiting pickup. Ambulances mobilised by health authorities remain on standby at Kyrenia Port, transferring survivors to nearby hospitals as anxious relatives gather at the dock. The Republic of Cyprus offered immediate assistance through the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), declaring its readiness to deploy aeronautical assets or assume control of the search operation to protect human life. President Nikos Christodoulides instructed the Greek Cypriot negotiator to convey the offer to the Turkish Cypriot leader via UNFICYP, with government sources emphasizing that all available resources must be deployed when lives are at risk. Earlier, Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri confirmed that emergency responders had brought a large number of passengers ashore safely. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Six dead, dozens unaccounted for after ferry carrying 267 capsizes off Kyrenia Dead and injured reported after passenger ferry overturns off Kyrenia Passenger ferry carrying 279 people overturns off Kyrenia coast Serious crash closes Limassol–Paphos road near Avdimou exit Iran’s Khamenei urges Gulf rulers in written message to confront ‘real enemy’ Iceland rejects EU-accession talks in close-fought referendum Christodoulides backs air traffic controllers amid FIR violations concerns Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.