At Least 7 Dead After Ferry Carrying Nearly 270 Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus

At least seven lives were lost on Sunday when a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, according to Turkish media reports. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel informed Turkish state-run TRT news that 237 individuals had been rescued, with a search operation underway for 24 others.

The ferry, a catamaran-style vessel, departed from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway northern part of ethnically divided Cyprus, heading towards the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province. Mayor Murat Senkul of Kyrenia revealed that the vessel belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and began taking in water approximately 4.5 nautical miles off the coast.

Unal Ustel disclosed that the ferry encountered adverse weather conditions just 15 minutes after leaving the port, prompting a distress call shortly thereafter. Rescue operations were ongoing to locate the remaining 24 individuals unaccounted for, with 237 people saved after the tragic incident. Footage captured during the rescue efforts depicted people in life jackets floating in the water near the capsized ferry.