At least eight individuals have lost their lives following a maritime accident where a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew overturned near the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, as reported by Turkish media outlets. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel informed the Turkish state-run TRT news channel that 237 individuals have been successfully rescued, with ongoing search operations for the remaining missing persons.
The incident occurred when the ferry encountered severe weather conditions and started to take in water just 15 minutes after departing. A distress call was made shortly thereafter. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his condolences and stated that his administration is collaborating with Northern Cyprus in the search and rescue mission.
“We are hopeful for positive developments,” Erdogan expressed during a speech at the Turkish Military Academy’s graduation ceremony in Ankara on Sunday. The catamaran-style ferry was en route from Kyrenia port, also known as Girne, in the northern region of Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Mayor Murat Senkul of Kyrenia mentioned that the vessel, owned by the Filo Denizcilik ferry company, sank near Diana Beach on the northern coast of Cyprus. TRT reported that the ferry began taking on water approximately 7.5 kilometers off the coast. Videos from the scene depict individuals wearing life jackets floating around the overturned vessel.
Constantinos Letymbiotis, a spokesperson for Cyprus’s internationally recognized government, conveyed via a social media post on Sunday that the government stands ready to support the search and rescue operations using all available resources. Letymbiotis expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, emphasizing the utmost importance of safeguarding human life in such challenging circumstances.