Passenger Boat Capsizes Near Northern Cyprus, 270 People Onboard

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:40:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A passenger boat tipped over about 4 miles off northern Cyprus; rescue operations underway. 159 survivors reached, authorities report.

A passenger vessel with roughly 270 people aboard capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. Mayor Murat Senkul confirmed that 159 of the passengers had been recovered by rescuers. The boat began flooding around four miles from shore and the situation was described as very serious. Rescue teams are currently working to locate the remaining passengers, with updates expected soon. The incident underscores the ongoing risks of maritime transport in the region.

Passenger Boat Capsizes Near Northern Cyprus, 270 People Onboard

Staggering incident off the coast of Kyrenia has plunged a boat carrying about 270 passengers into the sea. A search and rescue operation is actively underway, with authorities reporting that 159 people have been rescued so far. The incident highlights the persistence of maritime hazards in the Mediterranean.

Mayor Murat Senkul relayed to CNN Turk that the vessel began taking on water roughly four miles from shore and that the situation was “very serious.” He confirmed that 159 survivors were located, leaving the fate of others uncertain.

Rescue teams, operating from nearby ports, have deployed inflatable boats to submerge from the capsized craft and bring survivors to shore. The incident is being monitored as additional information is received.

This story remains live‑streaming, and updates will be forthcoming as the rescue operation progresses. Viewers can keep up with the latest developments on the BBC News App or by following @BBCBreaking on X.

Image: Rescue boats hauling passengers onto shore—Reuters