$1M Luxury Yacht Sinks Minutes After First Launch Off Turkey

A brand-new luxury yacht worth nearly $1 million capsized and sank just 15 minutes into its maiden voyage off the coast of northern Turkey, forcing its owner, captain, and crew to leap into the water.

The yacht, named Dolce Vento, was launched Tuesday in the Eregli district of Zonguldak. Video footage shows the 85-foot vessel gliding into the sea before tilting sharply to one side and slowly disappearing beneath the waves.

Valued at approximately $940,000, the yacht had just been delivered from Istanbul and was being launched for the very first time. Within minutes, it began swaying uncontrollably before listing and sinking.

The owner, along with the captain and two crew members, escaped without injury after jumping overboard and swimming to shore. Local Coast Guard and port authorities quickly set up a safety perimeter around the sinking craft.

Officials at the shipyard confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mishap. Technical inspections will be carried out to assess what went wrong during the launch.

The dramatic incident comes just weeks after a separate boat accident in New York, when an NYPD Harbor Unit had to rescue 11 passengers from a fishing boat that began sinking off Sheepshead Bay.