Rescue under way after ferry with more than 260 on board capsizes off northern Cyprus

A major search and rescue operation is underway after a passenger boat carrying approximately 270 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, according to local media reports on Sunday. The vessel, which was en route from Kyrenia Port, began taking on water about four nautical miles away from the port, putting it in danger of sinking. The Turkish Interior Ministry confirmed that the boat was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members at the time of the incident.

Rescue efforts were immediately launched, with a large-scale operation involving multiple agencies. Additional footage from northern Cyprus shows frightened passengers awaiting rescue. Some fatalities have been reported.

Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul described the situation as "very serious," stating that 159 people on board had been successfully reached. Authorities reported that there were initially around 270 passengers and crew members on the vessel. However, there were variations in the reported numbers, with Turkey's Interior Ministry later confirming the total to be 267.

Various vessels, including marine craft from the Northern Cyprus Coast Guard and the passenger ship Akgunler 3, as well as support from Turkey’s Coast Guard Command and the Turkish Naval Forces Command, were deployed for the rescue mission. Coastal security teams and smaller boats were also participating in the rescue effort alongside the Akgunlerin Express. Search and rescue operations continued in coordination among multiple agencies.