This is the moment a pirate-themed party boat sank in Turkey leaving 148 passengers, including Brits, to jump for their lives.
The ‘Big Boss Diamond’ booze cruise started taking on water off the coast of Paradise Island close to the popular Turkish holiday resort of Marmaris.
Harrowing footage shows tourists onboard jumping for their lives as the boat starts to lean onto its side.
Later footage showed only the sails of the ship visible above water with debris and multiple other vessels surrounding it.
Within an hour the ship had completely sunk.
Big Boss Diamond set sail from Marmaris for its daily tour of Paradise Island earlier today.
It started taking on water close to the picturesque Akvaryum Bay and Turkish rescue teams were quickly scrambled to help.
All 148 passengers, including 20 children, were forced to jump from the boat and into the Mediterranean.
Thankfully, all those onboard were brought to shore safely.
The ‘Big Boss Diamond’ booze cruise started taking on water off the coast of Paradise Island close to the popular Turkish holiday resort of Marmaris
Later footage showed only the sails of the ship visible above water with debris and multiple other vessels surrounding the booze cruise
Pictured: The Big Boss Diamond pirate ship before it sank. The boat operator describes Big Boss Diamond as a ‘family party boat’ where for just £35, passengers can enjoy unlimited beer, cocktails and wine
A post from Big Boss Diamond on social media about the incident
In a post on social media, Big Boss Diamond said: ‘Dear guests and friends, thank you very much for asking and worrying about us.
‘We are all safe and fine.
‘Till fixed up Big Boss Diamond we will carry on our boat trips with Big Boss Yagna.’
Yagna Tourism, who operate the boat, describes Big Boss Diamond as the biggest pirate ship in Turkey, it advertises that ‘when the kids are playing in the soft play area, parents can have a party upstairs’.
It calls the pirate ship a ‘family party boat’ where for just £35, passengers can enjoy unlimited beer, cocktails and wine.
The boat also offers a treasure hunt and there is an on board dj.
Footage from previous expeditions aboard Big Boss Diamond, show tourists dancing on the deck with a man dressed as a pirate while they are sprayed with water.
In a statement, the Governor of Muğla – the province where the incident took place – said: ‘Following the report, teams dispatched to the area coordinated the evacuation of our citizens on the boat, with the support of nearby boats.
‘Checks revealed no casualties, injuries, or health problems. The evacuated citizens were safely brought to shore.’
The Daily Mail has approached Yagna Tourism for a comment.
