Passenger Ship Accident in the Girne Waters (August 2026)

Passenger Ship Accident off Kyrenia, on 30 August 2026, occurred on a passenger vessel operated by a private company traveling from Kyrenia Port to Taşucu Port in Mersin, in the waters off Kyrenia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The vessel is reported to have begun taking on water for an unknown reason, and rescue operations are ongoing.

On 30 August 2026 at approximately 12:30, the private company’s passenger vessel departed from Kyrenia Port bound for Taşucu Port in Mersin. Shortly after departure, it began taking on water for an unknown reason.

Following the vessel’s flooding, rescue teams were dispatched to the area by coast guard and port authorities in response to the captain’s distress calls. Eyewitnesses reported that some passengers jumped into the sea after the vessel began taking on water.

Ömer Bilge, CNN Türk’s representative to the TRNC, stated: “The ship sank just five miles from shore, very close to the coast. After it started taking on water, it attempted to return to port. It is said to be an old vessel, a fiberglass-built catamaran. Catamarans are typically used for cargo transport, but here they are also used for passenger transport.”

TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı, in a statement to Anadolu Agency, confirmed that the ferry had taken on water and that rescue operations were continuing. He added that no determination had yet been made regarding the cause of the flooding.

Different figures have been reported regarding the number of people on board. According to information provided by Minister Arıklı to Anadolu Agency, there were 267 people total on board, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members.

Following the vessel’s flooding, coast guard and rescue teams were deployed to the area off Kyrenia. Local fishing boats are also reported to have joined the rescue efforts. It was reported that Kyrenia Mayor stated: “We have reached 159 people; operations are continuing.”

President Tufan Erhürman responded to questions from journalists following his meeting with families of the missing at Kyrenia Port. He stated that search and rescue operations continue at the same intensity, including during nighttime hours. Erhürman announced that a vessel from Türkiye will arrive in the region on 1 September, equipped with intervention capabilities up to approximately 1,000 meters depth. He also confirmed that the identities of the eight individuals who lost their lives have been established and that all families of the deceased have been contacted.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hacı Ali Özel arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the evening of the incident and visited the Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in the capital Lefkoşa, where he met with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek to obtain updates on the condition of the injured. The following morning, Özel returned to the hospital with Türkiye’s Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri and Health Minister Dinçyürek, where he met with injured individuals and their families. He then proceeded to the Crisis Table established in Kyrenia to meet with officials. Özel stated that efforts are ongoing to meet the needs of the victims and citizens and to facilitate their return to Türkiye, adding, “We are ready to provide every form of support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” He also met with citizens whose procedures are still underway at the embassy.

Türkiye’s Embassy in Lefkoşa has launched a comprehensive support program for victims and their families through its newly established “Crisis Table.” Crisis Table staff have visited injured individuals rescued from the vessel, addressed the basic needs of victims and their families, and arranged hotel transfers for those discharged after treatment. Airline tickets have been secured for victims wishing to return to Türkiye, regardless of their destination. Temporary Travel Documents have been issued for those who lost their identification cards, and families of missing passengers are being continuously informed by authorities. The bodies of those who lost their lives have been prepared for transport to Türkiye, and humanitarian aid packages containing clothing and hygiene products have been distributed to the victims.

As of 1 September, search operations in the waters off Kyrenia are being conducted with one aircraft, five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), seven helicopters, eight ships, and nine boats. Operations are supported by SAT commandos and Turkish Navy diving teams from Türkiye. The TCG Işın, capable of conducting search and rescue missions up to a depth of one kilometer, is commanding operations in the area where the vessel sank. It has been reported that the TCG Işın will deploy remotely operated submersibles equipped with pressure-resistant suits to reach the wreckage at a depth of 514 meters. The arrival of the TCG Işın has increased hopes of locating the missing passengers and recovering the vessel’s black box.

President Tufan Erhürman, in a statement made on September 1, announced that the location of an object believed to be a sunken vessel had been identified, stating: "The location of the object believed to be a sunken vessel has now been determined. This object was detected at a depth of 550 metres. I repeat, it is assessed to be a sunken vessel." Erhürman also noted that surface operations are ongoing without interruption and that efforts are being conducted simultaneously both on the surface and underwater.

Erhürman further announced that following the search and rescue vessel TCG Işın, the vessel TCG Alemdar will also arrive in the TRNC to join the operations.

On September 2, in a statement posted on his social media account, Erhürman said: "We have reached the vessel. Imaging and search operations are continuing on a 24-hour basis and will proceed without interruption." He also confirmed that TCG Alemdar had arrived at the site and begun search operations using the same technology as TCG Işın.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, during a visit to families of the missing waiting off Girne Port, stated that the first vessel sent from Türkiye had identified a specific location, and that together with TCG Alemdar, the wreckage of the passenger vessel had been located at approximately 550 metres depth. Üstel emphasized that due to the depth, imaging and search and rescue operations are being conducted under extremely difficult conditions, adding: "We expect the operations to reach a critical point by evening." He also said: "Our grief is immense. It is difficult to describe our sorrow. The pain of the families is our pain; the pain of their loved ones is the pain of us all."

According to information from the TRNC Ministry of Health, of the 19 individuals rescued injured from the Filo Jet vessel and treated in hospitals in Lefkoşa and Girne, 13 have been discharged. Of the 14 injured treated at Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital and the Emergency Hospital in Lefkoşa, 10 have been discharged; of the 4 injured treated at Near East University Hospital, 2 have been discharged; and the 1 injured treated at Girne Dr. Akçiçek Hospital has also been discharged. It was reported that the discharged patients were sent to Türkiye after completing consular procedures.

Prime Minister Üstel met with Durali İşler, Director of the Marine Accidents Investigation Department at the Transportation Safety Investigation Center of Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, along with his delegation, at the Prime Ministry. The meeting was also attended by TRNC Deputy Chief Prosecutor Ahmet Varol and First Assistant General Police Chief Gökhan Karagil and his team. Üstel stated that investigations will be conducted by the Transportation Safety Investigation Center to determine the technical causes of the incident and that a preliminary report will be prepared as soon as possible based on the findings.

Üstel remarked: "Technical investigations will be carried out, all findings will be carefully evaluated, and a preliminary report will be prepared as soon as possible." He emphasized that no negligence will be concealed, stating: "If there is any negligence, fault, or responsibility, regardless of who it involves, it will be brought to light." He added: "Our responsibility towards the lives we have lost and the grieving families is immense. I will personally continue to monitor the process to ensure that all aspects of the truth are revealed and those responsible are identified."

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel announced at a press conference that the body of one of the 20 people missing due to the vessel capsizing has been recovered. Üstel stated that the body, believed to belong to a male passenger in his fifties, has been sent to Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital in Lefkoşa for identification, and that search operations continue for the remaining missing individuals. With this development, the number of missing persons has been updated to 19.

Prime Minister Üstel announced at a press conference that the government has removed Erhan Arıklı, General President of the coalition partner Renewal Party (YDP) and Minister of Public Works and Transport, from his ministerial duties. Üstel noted that the investigation into the vessel capsizing off Girne has been expanded and added: "In this context, I informed our Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Erhan Arıklı, that he has been relieved of his duties. As head of the executive, it is my responsibility to take all necessary administrative measures to ensure the integrity of the investigation and to reassure public conscience."

Under the state of emergency declared in the TRNC following the vessel accident, music and entertainment activities have been prohibited until Saturday, 5 September morning.

The 35-week pregnant survivor of the accident, Menekşe Nur Akkaya Gökdaş, was transferred by ambulance aircraft to Kocaeli under the supervision of medical teams, following her treatment at Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital in Lefkoşa, at the request of her family. A Türkiye Ministry of Health ambulance aircraft landed at TRNC Ercan Airport, took on the patient, and departed for Türkiye. During the transfer, her husband, Volkan Gökdaş, accompanied her. At the airport, Gökdaş thanked the Türkiye Republic Embassy in Lefkoşa, the Ministry of Health, and other authorities for their prompt attention to their needs and for fulfilling the request for the ambulance aircraft since the very first moments of the accident.

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu, in a social media post regarding the matter, said: "We transferred our 35-week pregnant citizen affected by the ferry accident in the waters of Girne to Kocaeli by ambulance aircraft under the supervision of our medical teams. We are closely monitoring our patient's condition. Once again, we pray for God's mercy for our citizens who lost their lives in the accident, and offer our condolences to their grieving families and to our nation."

On 2 September, it was reported that the number of missing persons had decreased to 19. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, in a statement on 3 September, recalled that 239 people on the vessel had been rescued alive, nine had lost their lives, and search operations were ongoing for the 19 missing persons; he then added that the body of one additional person had been recovered, stating, "I would like to confirm that the number of deceased has now risen to 10." Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, during a press conference on 4 September, announced that two more female bodies had been recovered: "As a result of the work carried out in the evening, we located two additional female bodies. Thus, the total number of bodies recovered from a depth of 554 meters has increased to four. The number of deceased is now 12." He also confirmed that search operations continue for the remaining 16 missing persons. The recovered bodies were transported to Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital in Lefkoşa for identification.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz arrived in Lefkoşa, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, to offer condolences. Yılmaz first met with the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa, Ali Murat Başçeri, to receive information, then met with families of the missing citizens and paid a condolence visit to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman. Yılmaz later held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Ünal Üstel at Ercan Airport. Yılmaz conveyed the condolences of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, "The fire that fell on this place is still burning; those who are suffering the greatest pain are the families. In this deeply sorrowful event, I once again extend my wishes for patience to the families and wish to affirm that we will always stand by them."

Yılmaz provided information regarding the rescued passengers: "We have learned that 131 of our rescued passengers have completed their treatment and been discharged. Currently, only two patients remain in hospitals. One of them was in intensive care but has since been moved out. According to the latest information we have received, neither of our two patients is in life-threatening condition."

Yılmaz summarized the forces participating in the search and rescue operation as follows: "The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Security Forces Command is contributing four vessels. Our Coast Guard Command is supporting the operation with three vessels, one helicopter, diving teams, and a sonar system. Our Navy is participating with eight vessels and three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), while our Air Force is contributing one helicopter and one UAV. The operation is conducted on a 24-hour basis. In addition, tugs and diving teams from Cyprus coastal security, along with private boats and fishing vessels, have provided support to the search and rescue efforts."

Regarding the judicial process, Yılmaz stated: "We will provide all necessary technical and institutional support to ensure the proper completion of the judicial, administrative, and technical investigations initiated by the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus... There is a judicial assistance agreement between Cyprus and Türkiye. Today, a request has been transmitted to our Ministry of Justice by the Cypriot judiciary. In this context, our Ministry of Justice will provide all required technical support."

Prime Minister Üstel, at the joint press conference, stated that all crew members of the vessel—including the captain and company officials—were facing legal proceedings: "Whoever they are, regardless of their position or role, if anyone bears any fault, negligence, or responsibility in this tragedy, they will answer before the law... Today, once again, they appeared before a judge, and information and documents are being examined." Üstel added, "It is our independent judiciary that will determine who is guilty and who is at fault."

Üstel criticized attempts to turn the crisis into a political issue: "It serves no one’s interest to turn such immense grief into material for political calculations... What we need today is unity."

Prime Minister Üstel, noting that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Assembly will open in the first week of October, said: "Before commencing its regular session, our government is submitting a motion to the Assembly to investigate this disaster. Since yesterday, we have formally requested the establishment of an investigative committee within the Assembly and the commencement of its work there." Üstel emphasized that search and rescue operations are being conducted at a depth of 554 meters, where human diving is impossible, and that all operations are being carried out exclusively by robotic systems.

On 1 September, the TCG Işın Rescue and Salvage Vessel, participating in search operations, carried 60 personnel and 15 specialized first-class divers. The vessel’s remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) can descend to a depth of 1,000 meters, lift loads of up to 135 kilograms, and is equipped with thermal cameras. Thanks to its Dynamic Positioning System, TCG Işın can remain stationary at four anchor points up to a depth of 600 meters. Using side-scan sonar, it identified objects up to 1,000 meters deep, and with its Multibeam Echo Sounder System (MBES), capable of operating at depths of 3,000 meters, it conducted detailed mapping of the seabed. As a result of these efforts, the wreck of the vessel was located on 2 September.

On 2 September, the TCG Alemdar Submarine Rescue Vessel, with a displacement of 4,200 tons and an ambulance helicopter platform, began operations to recover the bodies of the missing from the wreck at a depth of 554 meters. The Navy Command deployed nine vessels and 11 aerial assets to survey the coastline, seabed, and surrounding area of the wreck to support search and rescue efforts. Chief of the Navy, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, personally monitored the search and rescue operations on site.

Under the investigation into the incident involving a total of 16 individuals, nine suspects—including the captain M.O., female second officer M.N.S., and crew members M.G., S.E., V.H., R.İ., Z.Ö., and K.K., as well as company employee A.O.—were brought before the Girne Accident Court for the second time. The court announced that the results of the alcohol and drug tests for the suspects had not yet been delivered to them. Records indicate that the captain M.O. obtained his current captain’s license from Honduras for 3,500 dollars after his previous license expired, and that this license is recognized as equivalent by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with no legal irregularity found in this regard.

The female second officer M.N.S. stated in her testimony that she had warned the captain not to set sail on the day of the incident, but that he proceeded with the voyage regardless. She also stated in her testimony that she acted on the assessment that the captain was aware the vessel was taking on water but chose not to prevent the voyage. It has been confirmed that the second officer M.N.S. was the person who issued the distress call from the vessel.

The court panel announced that the vessel’s black box has not yet been located and that the captain took the ship’s logbook with him when he left the vessel. It was reported that all previous incidents, repairs, and permits related to the vessel have been documented. Initial expert reports concluded that if the vessel had reduced speed immediately after beginning to take on water, it likely would have reached port before sinking.

It was decided to extend the detention periods of nine individuals by an additional eight days each. Five suspects—two port officials and three company employees—were not required to appear in court, as the police report indicated that two other suspects are located outside the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

On 4 September, it was reported that the number of those who lost their lives had risen to 12, and search operations were ongoing for 16 missing persons. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, during a press conference on 5 September, confirmed that another body had been recovered, stating, “As a result of the continuous search and rescue operations following the maritime accident, we have located another one of our citizens.” He announced that the number of fatalities had increased to 13, while the number of missing persons stood at 15.

On 6 September, as a result of search operations conducted under the command of the Turkish Navy’s Southern Sea Area Command, a sixth body was recovered. This development updated the number of fatalities to 14 and the number of missing passengers to 14. By 14 September, it was reported that of the total 267 passengers and crew, 239 had been rescued, 14 had lost their lives, and search efforts continued for 14 individuals.

Elmas Demir (58), a mother of five children who lost her life in the accident, was transported by road via Ankara to her hometown of Eskişehir. Her funeral prayer was held at the İlahiyat Camii in the Fevziçakmak neighborhood of Tepebaşı district, after which she was buried at the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Cemetery. Attendees included her husband and children, as well as Deputy Governor Yakup Güney, AK Party Eskişehir Provincial Chairman Gürhan Albayrak, and AK Party Tepebaşı District Chairman Serhat Tunç.

Prime Minister Üstel stated that all 239 individuals rescued after the shipwreck were transported to public and private hospitals in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and that since the first day, approximately 139 doctors and 200 nurses and medical staff had been deployed. Üstel noted that as of 5 September, 131 of the last 132 patients receiving treatment had been discharged, with no patients remaining in intensive care, adding, “To date, we have lost 13 of our citizens in this accident. Search operations for our 15 missing persons continue around the clock.”

Üstel also announced that DNA testing would be used to identify recovered bodies with the highest possible accuracy, certainty, and without any ambiguity, and that the Ministry of Health of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus had begun collecting DNA samples from the families of the missing.

An assessment of the technical specifications of the Turkish Navy vessels TCG Alemdar, TCG Işın, and TCG Akın indicated that TCG Alemdar serves as the primary rescue platform among the three, while TCG Işın and TCG Akın provide support for multi-purpose rescue, backup, underwater search, diving, and debris removal operations. TCG Işın is equipped with an Atmospheric Diving System (ADS) capable of operating up to a depth of 365 meters, used by first-class specialized divers, as well as a Satıhtan İkmalli Dalış Sistemi (SİDS) enabling simultaneous dives by three divers up to 90 meters depth. It also functions as a platform offering radiological and biochemical analysis, damage control surgery, intensive care, and hyperbaric chamber treatment. It was clarified that the rescue and support vessel TCG Akın was deployed not in Girne, but off the coast of Silivri on 2 September, in search operations following the collision and sinking of a commercial vessel named Tuğberk İmamoğlu.

Prime Minister Üstel, after inspecting operations aboard TCG Alemdar on 6 September, stated, “Work on removing the wreckage will be clarified tomorrow. We will determine whether we can or cannot remove the wreckage... Technical personnel from specialized organizations with experience in this field are currently conducting necessary assessments at the accident site and on the sunken vessel to prepare preliminary reports.” He also announced his intention to travel to Istanbul to meet with specialized organizations experienced in deep-sea wreck operations and debris removal. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense, Üstel and Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu visited TCG Alemdar to monitor operations on-site.

On 7 September, Üstel stated that TCG Alemdar and TCG Işın were continuing uninterrupted search and rescue operations, and that when technical needs such as refueling and maintenance arose, the vessels operated on a rotational basis. Üstel noted that reports prepared on potential operations with specialized companies in Istanbul possessing high-capacity deep-sea search and rescue capabilities were under evaluation, adding, “Therefore, the objective is not to halt search operations but, on the contrary, to further strengthen existing capabilities and enhance the effectiveness of our efforts... Our search activities continue around the clock.”

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz met with Prime Minister Üstel on 8 September at the Presidency Complex. The meeting was also attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Fikri Ataoğlu. Yılmaz commented on the meeting: “In our discussions, we reviewed the current status of ongoing search and rescue operations following the maritime tragedy in the waters off Girne, which deeply affected us all, and outlined the next steps to be taken... Our Commander of the Navy, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, along with technical teams from relevant institutions and expert personnel, are conducting operations with full mobilization of all available resources and meticulous care.”

Prime Minister Üstel announced on 9 September that TCG Işın was continuing search operations in the accident zone, while TCG Alemdar had returned to port for routine technical maintenance and resupply. Üstel declared that it had been decided to deploy an additional search and rescue vessel equipped with deep-sea search capability and specialized technical equipment, stating, “This vessel will depart from Istanbul tomorrow heading toward the accident area. It is expected to arrive by the end of the week or early next week and begin operations.”

The specially equipped research and survey vessel Optimus Prime, dispatched from Türkiye, arrived at the wreck site on 14 September and began search operations for the 14 missing individuals. Prime Minister Üstel and Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu boarded the vessel at the wreck site to inspect the operations firsthand. Üstel noted that the vessel had previously participated in major underwater projects in Türkiye, adding, “The vessel deployed in these operations is one of the few in the world with extremely advanced technical equipment and high capacity. It will enable access to previously unreachable areas of the wreckage, detailed examination of internal compartments, and comprehensive investigations leaving no unanswered questions.”

On 11 September, two ministerial changes were made in the cabinet of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Following the sinking of the passenger vessel off Girne, Erhan Arıklı was removed from his position as Minister of Public Works and Transport and replaced by Faiz Sucuoğlu. Olgun Amcaoğlu was removed from the Ministry of Economy and Energy and replaced by Hasan Taçoy. Both decisions were signed by President Tufan Erhürman and published in the Official Gazette, entering into force upon publication.