At least eight people have died after a passenger ferry carrying 267 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, triggering a major international search-and-rescue operation.
The FILOJET passenger ferry departed Kyrenia, also known as Girne, on Sunday, 30 August and was travelling towards the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Authorities said the vessel was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members.
The ferry began taking on water shortly after leaving port and got into serious difficulty several miles off the northern coast of Cyprus.
Emergency services launched a large-scale response as the vessel capsized and passengers were forced to await rescue at sea.
Turkish Cypriot and Turkish coastguard vessels were deployed alongside helicopters, naval assets and other boats operating in the area.
Civilian vessels also joined the rescue effort.
Authorities have confirmed that 237 people have so far been rescued.
At least eight people have died, while search teams continue working to locate passengers and crew who remain unaccounted for.
The exact number of missing people has changed during the day as survivors have been identified and casualty information has been updated.
Some of those rescued have been taken to hospitals for treatment, while emergency medical teams were deployed to Kyrenia port to receive survivors arriving by boat and helicopter.
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The vessel was operating a route between northern Cyprus and mainland Turkey, one of the principal passenger ferry links serving the region.
Officials said the ferry began taking on water not long after departing Kyrenia before eventually capsizing.
The wreck is reported to have sunk into deep water, creating additional challenges for rescuers and investigators.
Search teams have continued operating across the surrounding sea while authorities attempt to account for everybody who was aboard.
The precise cause of the disaster has not yet been officially established.
Weather conditions and the condition of the vessel are expected to form part of the investigation, but officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the evidence has been examined.
Eight people, including the ferry’s captain, have been detained as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
Detention during an investigation does not in itself establish criminal responsibility.
The Turkish Interior Ministry said multiple coastguard vessels and helicopters had been deployed, while Turkish naval units were also sent to support the rescue operation.
Officials in northern Cyprus cancelled a number of public events as attention turned to the disaster and the continuing search for missing passengers.
Turkey and authorities in northern Cyprus have said rescue efforts will continue while people remain unaccounted for.
Further casualty figures may change as the operation develops and authorities complete the process of identifying rescued passengers and those still missing.
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Sources
Reuters – At Least Eight Die and Others Missing After Ferry Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus
Associated Press – At Least Eight Dead After Ferry Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus
Turk Ajansi Kibris – Turkish Interior Ministry Statement on Kyrenia Ferry Rescue Operation
