At least eight individuals lost their lives when a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew overturned off the northern Cyprus coast on Sunday, as per reports from Turkish media sources. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel informed the Turkish state-run TRT news channel that 237 individuals had been rescued, with efforts ongoing to locate the remaining missing persons.
Ustel explained that the ferry encountered challenging weather conditions and started taking in water just 15 minutes after departure, prompting a distress call. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his sympathies and confirmed that his administration was collaborating with Northern Cyprus in the search-and-rescue operation.
Speaking at the Turkish Military Academy graduation ceremony in Ankara on Sunday, Erdogan expressed hope for positive updates, following the tragic incident. The catamaran-style ferry was en route from Kyrenia port, also known as Girne, in the northern part of Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul specified that the vessel, operated by Filo Denizcilik ferry company, sank near Diana Beach on the northern coast of Cyprus. The ferry started taking on water approximately 7.5 kilometers offshore, as reported by TRT. Video footage captured individuals in life vests floating in the water surrounding the capsized ferry.
Constantinos Letymbiotis, a spokesperson for Cyprus’s recognized government, conveyed readiness to aid in search-and-rescue endeavors through all available resources. In a social media post on Sunday, Letymbiotis expressed solidarity with those impacted by the incident, emphasizing the utmost importance of safeguarding human life during such challenging circumstances.
