Search at 514 meters for those missing from the ship that sank in Kyrenia

Search efforts continue for the 20 people who went missing after the ship sank shortly after departing from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Mersin.

Search operations are being carried out with the support of military ships and boats belonging to Turkey and the TRNC, as well as aerial vehicles. A Casa-type military aircraft sent from Turkey, along with numerous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters, are also contributing to the efforts from the air.

Most recently, the rescue and salvage ship TCG Işın has also reached the area.

WRECKAGE AT 514 METERS DEPTH

According to the report by Melike Şahin from NTV, she stated that ships and aircraft from Turkey were directed to the region on the first day the accident occurred, and that a new phase in the operations has begun with the arrival of the TCG Işın.

Stating that the wreckage of the ship is located at a depth of approximately 514 meters, Şahin noted that there was no equipment available until now that could reach this level.

Şahin stated, "Now, with the arrival of the TCG Işın ship in the area, the wreckage of the ship will be descended upon," adding that a robotic dive will be performed using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

WRECKAGE TO BE SCANNED WITH ROV

Explaining that the ROV device can be controlled remotely, Şahin said the device can safely grasp missing or sunken objects and bring them to the water's surface.

Stating that the device will be lowered into the sea shortly, Şahin shared the following information:

“It is a remotely controlled device. It can safely grasp missing and sunken objects and bring them to the surface. It will be lowered into the water shortly. It will conduct search operations with its robotic arms and provide images to the TCG Işın ship. This device can lift 135 kilograms of weight from the sea and can descend to a depth of one thousand meters. It is also referred to as an atmospheric diving system.”

Şahin also added that thanks to thermal cameras, if any bodies are found in the ship's lounge, the area can be viewed via the ROV.

WHAT HAPPENED?

A catamaran-type Turkish passenger ship, which set off from Kyrenia to Mersin's Taşucu Port on the afternoon of August 30, 2026, capsized shortly after departure.

In the accident, where there were 267 people on board including the crew, 8 people lost their lives. Search efforts initiated to find the 20 missing people are ongoing.

The accident occurred approximately 2 kilometers north of the Kyrenia coast. Following the incident, Turkish Cypriot coast guard boats were dispatched to the area.

While some of the passengers waited to be rescued on top of the capsized ferry, some passengers took to the sea in life rafts. Rescue ships and private boats were the first to reach the area.