Divers searching for ferry wreckage in northern Cyprus

Specialist divers from Turkey began searching for the wreckage of a ferry that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, with 20 people still unaccounted for. The twin-hulled vessel tragically lost at least eight lives when it began taking on water and overturned shortly after departing the port of Kyrenia, carrying 267 passengers and crew onboard.

The Turkish navy's rescue vessel, equipped with a remotely operated vehicle, launched its search about four nautical miles off the coast, minutes after the ferry set sail from the town of Tasucu in Turkey's Mersin province. Major Ulas Cesur, commander of the TCG Isin, explained that once the wreckage is located, salvage operations will commence at a depth of 500 meters, followed by thorough search and investigation activities.

Survivors who managed to cling to remnants of the overturned hull were rescued by boats. Social media footage appeared to capture individuals still inside one of the compartments, while others perched on the tip of the boat awaiting assistance. The cause of the disaster is currently under investigation; however, Turkish Cypriot authorities confirmed that the vessel possessed a valid seaworthiness certificate.

Witnesses reported that the ferry, a wide-bodied catamaran, exhibited violent pitching before crashing into the water, with the impact severely damaging part of its bow. Nine individuals linked to the vessel's operations were placed under detention for three days to aid police inquiries.