Boat with around 270 people on board capsizes off North Cyprus; at least one dead
The privately owned ferry immediately started taking on water for an unknown reason after leaving port.
A privately owned ferry capsized off North Cyprus on Sunday, August 30, leaving at least eight people dead and 18 missing. The ferry, carrying around 270 passengers and crew, had left the port of Kyrenia at 12:30pm local time. It was heading towards the Turkish port of Tasucu when it started taking on water for an unknown reason.
The vessel was moving erratically and made a violent impact with the water's surface, causing its bow to break and allowing water to enter. Despite 241 people being rescued, the disaster occurred near the popular holiday resort of Kyrenia, a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The captain and seven crew members of the ferry were detained for questioning, and divers from Turkey were assisting in the search.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the territory, with relatives anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, while the Turkish Cypriot Interior Ministry deployed four coast guard vessels and a civilian passenger boat, along with five Turkish coastguard vessels and two helicopters, to the scene.
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