Eight killed and 18 missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus

At least eight individuals lost their lives, while 18 remain unaccounted for following a ferry accident off the coast of northern Cyprus, according to Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The ferry, carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, began taking on water as it departed the coastal town of Kyrenia on Sunday, according to Üstel, who shared details on social media.

The ship's captain and seven crew members have been detained as part of an investigation into the incident. A search-and-rescue operation involving Turkish authorities is underway to recover the vessel and recover the black box recorder to determine the cause of the capsizing. The privately owned ferry, which left the popular holiday resort of Kyrenia at 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT), was scheduled to travel to Turkey but was delayed due to poor weather. Üstel stated that the primary focus is on saving lives, emphasizing that security forces, rescue teams, and health officials are on the scene.

The disaster will be extensively investigated, with no one spared if found to be negligent. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences to Turkish Cypriots and confirmed that efforts to locate those still missing are ongoing. Mustafa Koc, who saved around 65 people after his boat capsized, criticized the crew for not waiting for calmer seas, stating that the situation was unsafe.

The ferry, a 40-meter long, 10-meter wide Filo Jet vessel, operates under the flag of Turkey and belongs to Filo Denizcilik, which expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident. A hotline has been established to provide information to passengers' relatives, and the nationalities of those on board, as well as the status of the injured, remain unclear.