A ferry capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus on 2026-08-30, according to a report published on 2026-08-31. ^[1] At least eight people died in the ferry capsizing off Northern Cyprus on 2026-08-30. ^[2] Seven people died after a passenger boat capsized in Northern Cyprus. ^[3] Mustafa Akinci, former Turkish Cypriot leader, said on 2026-08-20 that the passenger ferry sinking off Kyrenia on 2026-08-17 might not have occurred if the Cyprus problem had been solved and northern Cyprus were an EU member. ^[4] The parents of a 12-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son, both among the 18 missing after the ferry capsized off Northern Cyprus on 2026-08-30, recounted desperate attempts to save their children. ^[5] 23 passengers are still missing after the boat sank. ^[6] Mustafa Akinci said his political career has been aimed at a solution to the Cyprus problem, EU integration, and adherence to international law, and called for EU membership as the primary objective. ^[7] Mustafa Akinci said the official number of missing persons from the ferry disaster rose from 17 on Sunday afternoon to 20 by Monday evening. ^[8] Mustafa Akinci said the rising number of missing demonstrates how unprepared the authorities are for such situations. ^[9]