Moments of terror were experienced by 148 passengers on a cruise ship off the coast of Marmaris, in southwestern Turkey, when the ship suddenly began to fill with water and sank in less than an hour.
The "Big Boss Diamond", a pirate-themed cruise ship popular with holidaymakers, was on a day trip near Paradise Island and Aquarium Bay when the serious incident occurred.
According to initial reports, dozens of passengers panicked and began jumping into the sea to save themselves, while about 20 children were also on board. Videos circulating on social media capture the dramatic moments, with the ship taking a dangerous tilt before completely sinking.
A major rescue operation was immediately launched involving rescue services and private vessels in the area. Turkish authorities announced that all passengers were safely evacuated and brought to shore without any casualties or serious injuries.
A statement from the Mugla government said that "teams arriving at the scene coordinated the evacuation of citizens with the help of nearby ships," noting that no health problems were found among the rescued.
The causes of the sinking remain under investigation. However, some passengers claim that a fire in the ship's engine preceded it, which is suspected to have caused water to enter and sink the ship.
A British tourist who was rescued described her harrowing experience, characteristically saying:
"I'm happy I got out of there and I'm alive."
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