A brand new luxury yacht valued at nearly $1 million has shockingly sunk off the northern coast of Turkey just 15 minutes after embarking on its maiden voyage, leaving its passengers and crew scrambling for their lives in a dramatic scene.
The 85-foot vessel, named Dolce Vento, capsized and went underwater on Tuesday in the Eregli district of Zonguldak province. Eyewitnesses described the moment of horror as the yacht slowly tilted to one side before quickly plunging beneath the waves. Videos of the incident have since gone viral, showing the luxury craft being swallowed by the sea.
According to local reports, the yacht had only just been handed over to its owner from Istanbul hours before the voyage. Onboard were the proud new owner, the captain, and two crew members. Thankfully, all four individuals managed to escape unharmed by jumping into the sea and swimming ashore. None sustained injuries, though they were visibly shaken by the ordeal.
The Turkish coast guard and port authorities swiftly responded to the scene, cordoning off the area and initiating recovery efforts. Officials confirmed that the situation was quickly contained, preventing further risks to nearby vessels or the environment.
Shipyard representatives revealed that the cause of the sinking is still unknown, but technical teams are conducting in-depth inspections and investigations to uncover why a newly built luxury yacht would fail so catastrophically within minutes of its launch. Possible mechanical faults, design flaws, or stability issues are being considered.
The shocking incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many questioning how a vessel worth close to a million dollars could collapse so quickly after delivery. Videos and reactions continue to circulate, drawing global attention to what is being described as one of the most dramatic yacht mishaps in recent memory.
Watch the viral video below …
Brand new $1M luxury yacht tips over and sinks just minutes after launching — forcing crew to jump overboard https://t.co/k2DG8c6eJQ pic.twitter.com/o7hMghIKVw
— New York Post (@nypost) September 3, 2025