Seven dead in ferry capsize off Northern Cyprus

A ferry capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people. The ferry, a catamaran, had departed from the port of Kyrenia and was headed for the Turkish port of Tasucu. According to Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, 237 people had been rescued alive, while 23 people were still being sought.

The ferry, which was carrying around 267 people, began taking on water about four miles off the shore, with some reports indicating it was shortly after departure. The cause of the capsize was not immediately clear. Video footage showed people in red life jackets sitting or standing on top of the overturned vessel as authorities scrambled coastguard and private vessels for assistance.

Rescue operations were ongoing, with multiple boats and helicopters deployed to the scene. Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel confirmed that 172 people had been rescued, according to some reports, while others stated that 237 had been rescued. The incident occurred in the eastern Mediterranean, with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus controlling the northern third of the island of Cyprus.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, ABC News AU, Free Malaysia Today, Dawn, Live Mint — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.