Rescuers search for 18 missing after boat capsizes off Northern Cyprus

Rescue teams continue searching for survivors a day after a ferry capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus, resulting in eight deaths and over a dozen people still missing. The vessel departed from the northern port of Girne on Sunday afternoon, heading towards the Turkish mainland, but capsized shortly after, triggering a major rescue operation.

Among the 267 passengers on board, 241 were successfully rescued, while eight individuals perished and another 18 remain unaccounted for, with their nationalities unknown. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a blast just before the ship rolled, and police have detained the captain and more than a dozen others. On Monday, the captain and eight others appeared before a judge and were formally arrested, as Northern Cyprus initiated three days of national mourning.

Early reports suggest the ferry began taking on water before capsizing about four nautical miles into the journey. Footage from the scene shows the capsized ferry with passengers wearing life jackets atop its orange hull, which subsequently sank to a depth of 514 meters. Recovering the vessel's black box could provide valuable insights into the cause of the tragedy.

Some survivors recounted hearing an explosion at the front of the boat, while others claimed there were insufficient safety measures in place. One young survivor, Efe Multici, told CNN Turk that many had to jump into the water without life jackets, describing the situation as a "fight for survival." Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking unification with Greece.

The northern portion, known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), declared independence in 1983 but is only recognized by Ankara, whereas the Republic of Cyprus in the south remains an EU member. Regular air and sea links connect the TRNC to Turkey.