At least eight individuals have perished following a ferry accident that occurred off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, with approximately 270 passengers and crew members on board, as reported by Turkish media sources. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel informed the Turkish state-run TRT news channel that 237 individuals have been successfully rescued, while efforts are ongoing to locate those still missing.
The ferry encountered challenging weather conditions and began taking on water just 15 minutes after departing, according to Ustel. A distress call was made shortly thereafter. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his sympathies and stated that his administration is collaborating with Northern Cyprus in the search and rescue operations.
Erdogan expressed hope for positive developments during a speech in Ankara at the Turkish Military Academy graduation ceremony on Sunday. The catamaran-style ferry was en route from Kyrenia port, also known as Girne, in northern Cyprus, to Tasucu port in Mersin province, Turkey. Mayor Murat Senkul of Kyrenia mentioned that the vessel, owned by Filo Denizcilik ferry company, sank near Diana Beach on the northern coast of Cyprus.
Approximately 7.5 kilometers from the coast, the ferry began taking in water, as reported by TRT. Footage from the scene depicted individuals wearing life jackets floating in the water near the overturned ferry. Constantinos Letymbiotis, the spokesperson for Cyprus’s internationally recognized government, conveyed via a post on social media platform X, the government’s readiness to provide assistance using all available resources for the search and rescue mission.
Letymbiotis expressed solidarity with the victims of the tragedy and emphasized the utmost importance of safeguarding human life during such distressing circumstances.