A luxury cruise ship carrying over 2,000 passengers and crew members capsized early Thursday morning off the coast of Greece, triggering a massive search and rescue operation. The vessel, identified as The Ocean Sapphire, reportedly encountered severe weather and rough seas before tilting dangerously and ultimately overturning just after 3:00 a.m. local time.
Rescue teams from Greece, Italy, and Turkey responded swiftly, pulling hundreds of survivors from the water. However, officials confirmed that at least 38 people are feared dead, with dozens still unaccounted for. Many passengers were reportedly asleep at the time of the incident.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the disaster, with early reports suggesting a combination of mechanical failure and extreme weather conditions. The ship’s black box has been recovered and will be examined for further clues.
Grief-stricken families have gathered at ports awaiting news of their loved ones, while international leaders express condolences and offer assistance. This marks one of the deadliest cruise disasters in recent years.
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