Antalya, Turkey— A commercial speedboat packed with tourists capsized off the Antalya coast just after midday on October 20, drowning three visitors from Western Europe and throwing a dozen others into the water.
The boat, a 12-meter open-deck craft operated by a local tour company, was on its afternoon run from Kemer to the Phaselis Bay coves, a popular half-day trip. At around 12:40 p.m., near the lighthouse off Tekirova, it was hit by a sudden cross-wave and rolled. Passengers had no time to reach life jackets stored under seats. Anadolu Agency reported the vessel was carrying 14 tourists and two crew.
Three bodies were recovered within an hour. Officials identified them as two German nationals, a woman aged 34 and a man aged 41, and a 29-year-old Dutch man. The Turkish Coast Guard said four other tourists were taken to Antalya City Hospital with hypothermia and minor injuries. The rest were pulled aboard private yachts that rushed to the scene.
The boat's captain survived. He told investigators the engine stalled as he turned to avoid a fishing net marker, leaving the boat beam-on to the swell. "The wave came from the side. We went over in seconds," he said according to a preliminary statement leaked to local media. Passengers said the boat was overloaded and moving too fast.
This route is crowded and loosely regulated. Tour operators compete for day-trippers, often packing boats beyond listed capacity. A harbor official in Antalya, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "We have warned these companies. They skip safety briefings. Life jackets are decoration. Today it cost lives."
Anadolu Agency reported the operator's license had been flagged twice this year for insufficient safety equipment. The Antalya Governor's Office said it has seized the company's other two boats pending inspection. The public prosecutor opened a criminal negligence investigation.
Tourism is the lifeblood of Antalya, with more than 15 million foreign visitors last year. The region has seen a string of small-boat accidents as demand surged after the summer season was extended into late October. Operators push trips out even when sea conditions deteriorate.
Rescue operations were scaled back by 5 p.m. All passengers were accounted for. The capsized hull was towed to Kemer Marina, half-submerged, its propeller tangled in rope.
The boat remains impounded at the marina. The investigation is ongoing.
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