Seven dead as passenger boat capsizes near Cyprus, dozens rescued

A passenger boat carrying roughly 270 people sank a few miles off the coast of Cyprus on Sunday, leaving at least seven dead and prompting a large-scale rescue operation. The vessel, identified as the Filo Jet, was en route from Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus to Taşucu in southern Turkey when it began taking on water and overturned.

Turkish Interior Ministry officials said the ship had 259 passengers and eight crew members on board. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel told Turkish media that 237 people had been rescued and that search efforts continued for 23 missing individuals. He attributed the capsizing to adverse weather conditions.

"We have rescued 237 people and are still looking for the remaining 23," Üstel said.

Four coastguard vessels from Northern Cyprus, a passenger ship, and two coastguard helicopters were deployed to the scene, according to the ministry. Video from the incident showed rescuers pulling people wearing life jackets from the water and a helicopter hovering above the overturned hull.

Turkish Parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmuş posted condolences on social media for the victims.

"My condolences to those who lost their lives in this incident," Kurtulmuş wrote.

Rescue crews transferred survivors to the port of Kyrenia, where ambulances awaited. No rescued individuals were reported to be in critical condition.