115 evacuated as fire destroys tourist 'Toys Boat' near Turkey's Fethiye

Fire on the "Toys Boat"

On Thursday, 13 August 2026, a fire broke out on a tourist excursion boat near the bay of Katranci, north of Fethiye, in Turkey's southwestern Mugla province. The vessel, widely identified as the "Toys Boat" and named "Imparator" by German outlet Spiegel, was a 32-meter boat equipped with children's games and toys, offering day cruises for families. According to Turkey's Directorate of Maritime Affairs, 115 people were on board, including 103 passengers and 8 animators, with the remainder being crew members. Many families with children and entertainers were participating in the excursion. The fire spread rapidly across the entire length of the vessel, as shown in images circulated on Turkish media and social platforms. Fethiye is a resort particularly popular with British tourists, though the nationality of the passengers was initially unclear.

Evacuation and rescue

When the flames engulfed the boat, all 115 people on board, including children, donned life vests and jumped into the sea to escape the fire, according to the state news agency Anadolu. The Turkish Coast Guard, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, and the Maritime Police dispatched units to the scene. Nearby boats also joined the rescue effort, pulling people from the water. The Maritime Affairs Directorate had earlier posted on X that the 115 people, including 103 passengers, were evacuated and brought to shore, publishing several images showing children together with their parents. All evacuees were transferred to facilities in the Göcek and Karagözler areas. The Coast Guard told AFP it had evacuated 107 people, a figure lower than the 115 reported by the Maritime Affairs Directorate, though the reason for the discrepancy was not explained.

Hospitalizations

Eleven passengers were transported to a regional hospital by ambulance for treatment of mild smoke inhalation. The Maritime Affairs Directorate stated that none of the 11 were in serious condition. It was not specified whether any children were among the 11 hospitalized. According to the same directorate, as reported by Adnkronos and 20minutes, all 11 were discharged from the hospital later the same day. Medical teams also conducted preventive examinations on several children after the evacuation. No fatalities were recorded.

Investigation and aftermath

The cause of the fire has not been officially determined. Local media reports cited by LaVanguardia suggested the blaze may have originated in the ship's kitchen before spreading throughout the vessel. The operator of the boat issued a statement on Facebook.

We wish to inform the public that our customers and our employees are safe.

The company also described its onboard program, which includes games, entertainment, and meals, as an "unforgettable adventure." In a separate communication cited by rmf24.pl, the operator said that confirmed information would be published exclusively on official accounts. The boat was largely destroyed by the fire and is no longer seaworthy, requiring it to be brought to land. The relevant authorities are conducting an investigation into the cause.