Ferry capsizes off Cyprus with 267 aboard; at least seven dead and 23 missing

A passenger ferry overturned off the coast of Cyprus on August 30, 2026, with 267 people on board; at least seven have died and 23 remain unaccounted for, authorities say.

Rescue teams recovered 237 people from the water or from the upturned hull, while search operations continue for the missing. Coast guard vessels, helicopters and nearby private and fishing boats were involved in the response after the vessel sent a distress call shortly after leaving Girne (Kyrenia) harbour.

Initial reports and casualty figures

Officials reported seven confirmed fatalities. Another official count from a ministry statement put the manifest at 259 passengers plus eight crew, and said the vessel began taking on water several miles off the coast. The company that operates the ship mobilised its resources and opened a telephone line for relatives of those on board.

The ferry, named "Filo Jet", sails under the Turkish flag and tracking data list the vessel's dimensions at 40 metres in length and 10 metres in width. The ship departed Girne at 11:58 local time and was scheduled to arrive at Taşuğa at 17:52.

Eyewitnesses described panicked passengers jumping into the sea, while others climbed onto the exposed, overturned side of the hull to await rescue. Survivors were reported not to be in critical condition by the prime minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Unal Ustel, who also said the vessel had capsized because of severe weather conditions.

Oceanographer Simon Boxall of the University of Southampton, after reviewing available footage, said the sea conditions visible in the recordings did not look sufficiently extreme on their own to cause a capsize. He noted it remained possible the ferry struck an object in the water — such as a fallen container — or that a cargo shift or incorrect loading contributed to the accident.

Photo: Printskrin