In Zonguldak, a €40 Million Luxury Yacht Sank Immediately After Launch

In the Ereğli district of Zonguldak province, a new luxury yacht worth approximately 40 million lira was built. Its launch took place on September 2, 2025. However, just 15 minutes after leaving the shipyard, the vessel unexpectedly capsized and sank only 200 meters from the shore.

The yacht was constructed in about five months and was intended for a buyer from Istanbul. After launching, the vessel was named "Dolce Vento" and was intended for test trials. According to other sources, the construction period of the yacht is estimated at one year.

At the time of the accident, four people were on board: the yacht owner, the captain, and two crew members. All managed to jump overboard and, despite the panic, safely reached the shore. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

One theory suggests that the cause of the accident could be an engineering or structural error related to the vessel’s stability. Experts emphasize that stability calculations are critical in yacht design, and even a small error can lead to serious consequences. Other sources cite technical failure or a structural defect as potential causes of the sinking.

Shipyard personnel promptly reported the incident to the border guard and emergency services. Shortly after, the coast guard arrived at the scene and evacuated the crew from the sunken yacht. An investigation into the incident is currently underway, and plans are being made to recover the remains of the yacht from the water.