At least seven die in ferry capsize off Northern Cyprus; 23 missing

A passenger ferry capsized and sank off Northern Cyprus on Sunday, resulting in at least seven deaths and 23 people still unaccounted for, according to officials. The cause of the incident remains unclear. One rescued individual reported that a blast occurred at the bow of the ferry before it overturned. The vessel capsized approximately 6.5 kilometers off the coast of Cyprus, shortly after departing from a Northern Cyprus port en route to Turkey's mainland.

Images broadcast by Turkish television depicted the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests on its orange hull. The ferry was carrying a total of 267 people; at least seven of them perished, with 23 reported missing and 172 rescued, as stated by the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Unal Ustel.

The ferry was carrying a total of 267 people; at least seven of them perished, with 23 reported missing and 172 rescued, as stated by the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Unal Ustel. Shortly after, the TRNC's transport minister confirmed that the ferry had completely sunk to a depth of 514 meters.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the missing individuals. The TRNC, which controls the northern third of the island of Cyprus and has been divided since 1974, maintains regular air and sea links to Turkey. A rescued passenger who spoke of the blast recounted that the front part exploded, people attempted to turn the boat around, and side windows shattered, causing the ferry to begin taking on water.

He spent an hour and a half in the water before being rescued, noting that many individuals were aboard when the situation escalated. Many boats, including private vessels, participated in the rescue operation, with Turkey's interior ministry announcing that six Turkish navy ships were dispatched to assist. The TRNC's health ministry assured that all hospitals in the territory had been notified to provide necessary medical care.

The ferry had departed from the Northern Cyprus port of Kyrenia, en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu, with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz confirming that his country was providing comprehensive support to the rescue and search operations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit the TRNC on Monday to meet with the territory's president, Tufan Erhurmann, marking Erdogan's first visit since 2023.