Eight dead and 22 missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus
A catamaran ferry traveling from Kyrenia to Turkey sank in waters 514 metres deep, killing at least eight people and leaving 22 unaccounted for, while 237 passengers were rescued.
A ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, resulting in at least eight deaths and 22 people still missing. The vessel, operated by Filo Denizcilik, began taking on water about 7.5 km from Kyrenia and sank to a depth of 514 metres.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said 237 people had been rescued, and search and rescue teams continued intensive efforts to locate the missing. Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı confirmed the depth of the wreck, while Turkish-Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said the search was using additional technologies.
Mayor Mehmet Harmancı of northern Nicosia described the incident as the worst disaster in the territory’s 40-year history, noting that most passengers were likely Turkish or Turkish-Cypriot. Kyrenia mayor Murat Şenkul added that the ferry was a popular, low-cost link between the island and mainland Turkey.
Four coastguard vessels, a civilian passenger boat, five Turkish coastguard ships and two helicopters were deployed to the scene. Injured survivors were taken to hospitals in northern Nicosia.