Cyprus ferry capsize: 8 dead, 18 missing as search enters second day
Synopsis
A Turkish double-hulled ferry carrying 267 people sank off Cyprus after departing Kyrenia on Sunday, killing 8 and leaving 18 unaccounted for. With the wreck at over 500 metres depth and survivors alleging the crew abandoned ship first, a deep-sea ROV is now the only hope of answering whether anyone remains trapped below.
Key Takeaways
A Turkish ferry carrying 259 passengers and 8 crew capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday afternoon .
The death toll stands at 8 , with 18 people still missing and 241 survivors rescued as of Monday .
The vessel sank to a depth of over 500 metres ; social media footage reportedly showed passengers in a compartment as it went down.
Turkey is dispatching a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle expected to arrive at the site by Tuesday .
The captain and 7 crew members have been arrested; survivors allege crew abandoned ship without giving evacuation instructions.
Local media reported the ferry had previously undergone repairs for water leaks ; the cause of capsizing remains under investigation.
A Turkish passenger ferry carrying 267 people capsized and sank off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday afternoon, killing at least 8 people and leaving 18 others missing, Turkish Cypriot authorities confirmed. Rescue operations continued into Monday, with 241 survivors pulled to safety.
How the Disaster Unfolded
The double-hulled ferry departed the port of Kyrenia before it began taking on water and capsized shortly after leaving harbour. The vessel subsequently sank to a depth of over 500 metres below the sea surface. Footage circulating on social media reportedly showed passengers still inside one of the ship's compartments as it went down, raising fears that additional victims may be trapped within the wreck.
The ferry was en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu, approximately 120 km north of Kyrenia, at the time of the incident.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Turkey announced it was dispatching a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to support the underwater search. The equipment was expected to reach the accident site by Tuesday. With the vessel resting at extreme depth, the ROV's arrival is considered critical to determining whether anyone remains trapped inside.
As of Monday, rescuers had confirmed 241 survivors from the 259 passengers and 8 crew members aboard. The search for the remaining 18 missing persons was ongoing.
Captain and Crew Detained
Turkish Cypriot authorities arrested the captain and seven crew members following the disaster. Survivor accounts, according to media reports, alleged that the captain and crew were among the first to abandon the vessel, leaving passengers without evacuation instructions — a claim that will likely form a central element of the investigation.
Local media also reported that the ferry had previously undergone repairs for water leaks, raising questions about its seaworthiness at the time of departure.
Weather Conditions and Regulatory Questions
Cyprus was struck by severe storms on Saturday, and sea conditions remained rough the following day. Despite this, Turkish Cypriot authorities said weather was deemed suitable for the crossing when the ferry set sail on Sunday. The gap between the rough conditions and the official clearance is likely to face scrutiny as investigators probe the cause of the capsizing.
The cause of the disaster remains under investigation, authorities said.
A Pattern of Ferry Tragedies
This incident follows a similar disaster earlier this year in Sudan, where at least 15 people died after a passenger ferry sank in the River Nile State in northern Sudan. According to a source at Sudan's civil defence authority, that vessel capsized due to high waves, with 8 people surviving and approximately 4 others reported missing. The back-to-back incidents have renewed calls internationally for stricter passenger vessel safety standards.
Investigators are expected to examine maintenance records, crew conduct, and the decision to authorise the voyage amid post-storm sea conditions.
Point of View
Combined with reports of prior water-leak repairs, point to compounding failures: vessel maintenance, crew training, and the port authority's decision to clear the crossing despite Saturday's severe storms. The 500-metre depth makes physical evidence recovery exceptionally difficult, which means crew testimony and pre-departure records will carry outsized weight. If the seaworthiness concerns prove founded, the broader question is how a vessel with a documented leak history was cleared for a 120-km open-sea crossing in post-storm conditions.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Turkish ferry off Cyprus?
A Turkish double-hulled passenger ferry capsized and sank off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday afternoon after taking on water shortly after departing the port of Kyrenia. The vessel was carrying 259 passengers and 8 crew members and was headed for the Turkish port of Tasucu, about 120 km away.
How many people died and how many are missing?
At least 8 people have died and 18 remain missing as of Monday. A total of 241 survivors have been rescued from the 267 people who were on board.
Why were the captain and crew arrested?
Turkish Cypriot authorities arrested the captain and seven crew members following the disaster. Survivors reportedly alleged that crew members were among the first to leave the vessel without providing passengers with evacuation instructions, a claim now central to the investigation.
What is being done to find the missing passengers?
Turkey is dispatching a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle to assist the search; it was expected to arrive at the site by Tuesday. The ROV is critical because the ferry sank to a depth of over 500 metres, beyond the reach of conventional divers.
Were weather conditions a factor in the capsizing?
Cyprus experienced severe storms on Saturday, and seas remained rough on Sunday. Turkish Cypriot authorities said conditions were considered suitable for sailing at the time of departure, but the decision to clear the crossing is under scrutiny as investigators examine the cause of the disaster.
