A luxury yacht worth £700,000 ($940,000) capsized and sank just 15 minutes after being launched, forcing its owner and crew to abandon ship in a dramatic incident off the coast of northern Turkey.
The accident occurred on Tuesday, September 2, about 200 metres offshore in the Eregli district of Zonguldak.
Footage from the scene shows the yacht, named Dolce Vento, tipping over before sinking, as passengers leapt into the sea to save themselves. A man believed to be the owner was seen clinging to the vessel before jumping into the water and swimming frantically to shore.
The yacht’s captain and two crew members also escaped unharmed. No injuries were reported.
The vessel had been built at the Med Yilmaz Shipyard over a five-month period before being delivered from Istanbul to its owner.
Following the incident, Coast Guard and port authorities set up a security perimeter while rescue teams equipped with technical gear were dispatched to recover the vessel.
Shipyard officials confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to determine the cause of the sinking.