At least 8 dead, 22 missing as ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus

A passenger ferry capsized and sank off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, resulting in at least eight deaths and leaving over a dozen people missing, according to officials and media reports. The vessel, carrying a total of 267 passengers, had departed from a Northern Cyprus port bound for Turkey's mainland.

Several rescued passengers recounted a blast occurring at the bow of the ferry just before it rolled over, claiming the boat had an inadequate supply of life vests. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where individuals had to jump into the water without life-saving equipment. One witness, Efe Multici, stated that many people had to fight for survival during the ordeal.

The ferry was reported to have carried 161 survivors to a hospital and 76 to their homes. The official Cypriot news agency TAK reported 17 missing, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged tirelessly ongoing efforts to locate the missing individuals. Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yilmaz stated that Turkey was providing all necessary assistance to the search and rescue operations.

The TRNC's prime minister, Erhan Arikli, announced that the ferry had completely sunk to a depth of 514 meters, and the "black box" would aid in determining the cause of the sinking. An explosion on the front part of the ferry was reported by a rescued passenger, who also mentioned the side windows blowing out and the boat taking on water. Another witness corroborated the explosion claim, stating that the captain abandoned the ship without proper organization.

Many rescue boats, including private vessels, participated in the rescue operation, with Turkey's interior ministry dispatching six navy ships. Hospitals in the TRNC were alerted to provide medical assistance to those affected. The ferry had departed from Kyrenia (Girne) port en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu. The TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, governs the northern third of Cyprus, an area that has been divided since 1974 following an Athens-backed Greek Cypriot coup attempt.