At least eight individuals have lost their lives following a tragic incident where a ferry, carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew members, overturned near the northern coast of Cyprus 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 have been successfully rescued, while efforts are ongoing to locate those who are still missing.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the ferry encountered challenging weather conditions and started to take on water only 15 minutes after departing. An emergency call was made shortly thereafter. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his sympathies and stated that his administration is collaborating with Northern Cyprus in the search and rescue operations.
“We are optimistic about receiving positive updates,” Erdogan commented 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 area of Cyprus to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Mayor Murat Senkul of Kyrenia mentioned that the vessel belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank near Diana Beach on the northern coast of Cyprus. The ferry began taking in water approximately 7.5 kilometers off the coast, as reported by TRT. Videos from the scene show individuals wearing life jackets floating near the overturned ship.
Constantinos Letymbiotis, a spokesperson for Cyprus’s internationally recognized government, expressed via a social media platform X that their government was prepared to aid in the search and rescue operations using all available resources. “Our hearts go out to those who have lost their lives, the injured, and all those affected by this tragic event,” Letymbiotis stated. “Preserving human life is of utmost importance during such challenging moments.”