Ferry carrying over 260 people capsizes off Cyprus

A passenger ferry carrying over 260 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, according to the local government. At least eight lives were lost, Turkish state media reported, citing Unal Ustel, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Ustel stated that 237 individuals had been rescued, while 23 others remain missing.

Additionally, the ship's captain and seven crew members have been apprehended. The TRNC, which has been divided since 1974 with the northern section under TRNC administration and unrecognized internationally except by Turkey, reported that the ferry departed from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu in southern Mersin province.

TRNC Transport Minister Erhan Arikli confirmed that there were 267 people on board, comprising 259 passengers and eight crew members. The TRNC Health Ministry assured that all necessary measures for a prompt response from rescue and medical services were underway. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz announced on social media platform X that the nation is closely monitoring the tragic incident and providing full support to the search-and-rescue operations.

Turkish state-run TRT news agency reported that the ferry began taking on water approximately 4.5 nautical miles from the coast.