Eight dead and dozens missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus

At least eight people were confirmed dead and over a dozen remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized off the coast of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus, officials said. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel reported that the vessel, carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, began taking on water shortly after departing the holiday resort at about 12:30 local time. He said the captain and seven crew members were detained pending an investigation into the cause of the disaster.

According to Üstel, the boat was hit by two waves; the first caused the vessel to list, and a second wave forced it to capsize while the captain attempted to recover from the initial impact. Helicopters, coastguard boats and ambulances were dispatched, and about 100 passengers have been brought ashore, transport minister Erhan Arıklı said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences to Turkish Cypriots and affirmed that search-and-rescue operations were continuing without interruption. He noted that the response was coordinated with authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The high-speed 40-metre Filo Jet ferry, operating under the Turkish flag and run by Filo Denizcilik, will be subject to a thorough investigation, Üstel said, adding that any negligence will be uncovered and no one will be spared regardless of status.