At least seven people reportedly die after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus
At least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, local media reported.
An estimated 237 people have been rescued, Northern Cyprus’ prime minister, Ünal Üstel, told the TRT news channel, adding that the ferry had faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure.
Local media report that an intensive search and rescue effort was launched after the boat capsized off the coastal town of Kyrenia earlier today. The ferry had been travelling to the Turkish port of Tasucu.
Key events
We are unsure of what caused the ferry to capsize, the extent of the injuries of the wounded and the nationalities/identities of the seven people confirmed to have died. We will bring you any new information as it comes.
The Filo Denizcilik company, which operates the capsized passenger boat, has put out a statement saying it is “deeply saddened” by the “tragic accident”. It said the priority is the safety of the passengers and crew on board. The statement continued:
From the moment the incident occurred, a crisis management team was established within our company, and all our resources were mobilized to the field in full coordination with all authorized search and rescue teams. Search and rescue and evacuation efforts are being carried out continuously and with the utmost care.
We share the great concern experienced by the families and loved ones of our passengers. A dedicated crisis and information hotline has been established to provide passengers’ relatives with timely and accurate information.
Helena Smith
Helena Smith, our correspondent in the region, has confirmed that injured passengers are being transferred to the main hospital in the island’s self-proclaimed Turkish Republic:
I have just spoken to Mehmet Harmanci, who as mayor of breakaway northern Nicosia, says he is overseeing efforts to gather warm clothes and other essentials for the wounded.
“There are 23 still missing and others who have also been injured although we don’t know to what degree,” he told the Guardian.
“The wounded are being sent to hospital here in (northern) Nicosia and we are gathering warm clothes for them.”
Harmanci described the disaster as the worst ever witnessed in the 43 years since the territory declared independence. “We have not seen anything like this before. It’s very serious,” he said.
Four Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels and a civilian passenger boat have been deployed to the scene, along with five Turkish coastguard vessels and two helicopters, the Turkish Cypriot interior ministry said in a statement.
Here are some of the latest images being sent to us over the newswires following the incident:
Priority following ‘tragic shipwreck’ is reaching 23 missing passengers, region’s prime minister says
The prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ünal Üstel, has posted an update on X about the “tragic shipwreck”. He said 237 out of the 267 people on board the ship have been rescued – but seven people have died.
Üstel said search and rescue operations are under way to locate the 23 missing people, which he describes as the “utmost priority”.
“I offer my condolences from Allah for those who have passed away, and wish patience and strength to their families and loved ones. I pray for a swift recovery for the injured,” he added in the post.
“All institutions of our state are on the ground. We are continuing the search and rescue efforts with the utmost care and closely following developments.”
Mayor describes Cyprus ferry incident as ‘very serious’
In a post to Facebook, the mayor of the coastal town of Kyrenia, Murat Senkul, described the situation as “very serious” and confirmed that 270 passengers and crew were aboard when the ship sank off the coast of Diana beach. He said the ferry belonged to the Filo Denizcilik company.
“The Coast Guard, the *Akgünler Express* vessel, and numerous small boats are participating in rescue operations,” he wrote in the social media post.
“Please refrain from sharing information that could cause confusion or spread misinformation.”
At least seven people reportedly die after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus
At least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, local media reported.
An estimated 237 people have been rescued, Northern Cyprus’ prime minister, Ünal Üstel, told the TRT news channel, adding that the ferry had faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure.
Local media report that an intensive search and rescue effort was launched after the boat capsized off the coastal town of Kyrenia earlier today. The ferry had been travelling to the Turkish port of Tasucu.
