Sunken Russian Ship Discovered in Turkey’s Lake Van

Divers from Van Diving explored the wreck of a Russian cargo vessel, known locally as the “Akdamar” ship, lying on the floor of Lake Van near the village of Çanakdüzü in the Tatvan district. Built in 1916 and sunk after colliding with rocks during a severe storm in 1958, the roughly 40‑metre long hull now rests about 10 metres underwater and is considered one of the lake’s most important historic structures. Video recorded during the dive showed that, despite its age, the ship remains largely intact, highlighting Lake Van’s blend of natural beauty and submerged cultural heritage.

The dive, involving around 30 participants, is part of an ongoing effort by local divers to document and promote the lake’s underwater sites for both researchers and tourism. Organiser Serkan Ök said the wreck is a favorite destination for dive enthusiasts and contributes to the growing interest in Turkey’s underwater archaeology.