By FREYA BARNES, NEWS REPORTER and NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER and TOM LAWRENCE, NEWS REPORTER
Published: 12:46 BST, 30 August 2026 | Updated: 18:39 BST, 30 August 2026
At least eight people have died after a ferry carrying 270 passengers and crew capsized and 'completely sunk' off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday afternoon.
The catamaran-style vessel set off from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, at 11.58am, headed for the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province where it was expected to arrive at 5.52pm local time.
Now the ship's captain has been arrested alongside seven others as part of an investigation into the ferry's demise.
Tragedy struck just 15 minutes into the ferry's journey, as local reports suggested the vessel faced adverse weather conditions and began taking on water.
A major rescue operation is still ongoing after Turkish Cypriot coastguard boats and rescue helicopters rushed to the scene earlier today.
Ambulances were also dispatched to the scene to take survivors to local hospitals.
Reports suggest the Filo Jet vessel began taking on water between two to four miles off the shore.
'The vessel had been moving very badly. It was constantly lifting out of the water and slamming back down. It was shaking violently,' survivor Efe Multici told CNN Turk.
A rescue mission is underway after a ferry carrying more than 260 passengers capsized shortly after departing from the coast of northern Cyprus today
Footage shows the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests on top of its orange hull
A helicopter brings survivors ashore after they were rescued from the sea
The Filo Jet vessel is a high-speed craft, 40 metres long and 10 metres wide, that sails under the flag of Turkey, according to Marine Traffic (stock image)
He added: 'Three or four minutes later, the ferry leapt high into the air, then came crashing down. The front left side burst open and water started pouring in.'
