People wearing life jackets sit atop a capsized ferry as rescuers airlift one to safety.
bbc.
At least eight people have died and more than a dozen others are still missing after a passenger ferry tipped over in the waters off the northern coast of Cyprus. The head of the Turkish administration in the self‑proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said the tragedy began when the vessel began to take on water after leaving the town of Kyrenia.
Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the TRNC, posted a statement on social media that the ferry had carried 259 passengers and eight crew members when it departed Kyrenia. He added that the ship’s captain and seven crew members were detained as part of an investigation into how the accident happened. The statement also said that a search and rescue operation was underway to find the missing passengers.
The privately owned ferry left Kyrenia, a popular holiday resort, at about 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT) on Saturday. Üstel said the boat was scheduled to travel to Turkey that day but had been delayed because of bad weather. He told the Turkish media outlet TRT that the boat was hit by two large waves. While the captain was trying to recover from the first wave, a second wave struck and the vessel began to take on water.
Helicopters and coastguard boats were dispatched to the scene, and ambulances were stationed on the beach ready to receive rescued passengers. Üstel wrote that the priority was human life and that security forces, rescue teams and health officials were all on the scene. He added that the disaster would be thoroughly investigated and that “even the slightest negligence will be uncovered.” He said, “No one will be spared, regardless of who they are, who is found to be at fault or responsible.”
Erhan Arikli, the transport minister of the TRNC, told local media that about 100 passengers had been taken to shore. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sent his condolences to Turkish Cypriots and said that efforts to reach those who were still missing would continue without interruption. He said, “Immediately after the accident, we launched extensive search‑and‑rescue operations in cooperation with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
A local fisherman named Mustafa Koc rescued around 65 people with his small boat after the vessel capsized. He told the BBC that the crew should have waited until the sea was calm. “It wasn’t safe for them,” he said. “The sea was quite choppy.” Koc added, “People died. It’s not right.” He said the boat had arrived in Kyrenia on Saturday and had some damage in the front.
The ferry was a high‑speed 40‑meter long, 10‑meter wide Filo Jet vessel that sails under the flag of Turkey, according to Marine Traffic. On Sunday evening, Arikli told TRT that the ship had completely sunk.
Filo Denizcilik, the company that operates the capsized passenger boat, said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic accident.” A hotline was set up to provide relatives of passengers with information about the status of their loved ones. The nationalities of those who were aboard and the status of the injured are still unclear.
Local television has broadcast images of the upside‑down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests atop its hull. The footage shows the chaotic scene and the efforts of rescue workers to pull people from the water.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey. The Turkish administration in the region has a close relationship with Ankara, and Turkish authorities have joined the search and rescue operation. The detention of the captain and seven crew members is part of a broader investigation that will look into the safety procedures of the ferry and whether any negligence contributed to the disaster.
The Turkish government has promised that “any negligence will be uncovered” and that “no one will be spared.” This statement reflects the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the incident. The investigation will involve maritime safety experts, legal officials, and representatives from the ferry company.
The loss of eight lives and the disappearance of more than a dozen people has shocked the local community. Families are waiting for news about their loved ones, and the hotline has been busy with calls. The emotional toll on the community is significant, as many people have lost friends, relatives, or neighbors.
The incident also highlights the importance of safety regulations for passenger vessels. The ferry’s high speed and the rough sea conditions may have contributed to the accident. The investigation will examine whether the vessel was operating within its safety limits and whether the crew followed proper protocols.
The search and rescue operation continues, with helicopters, coastguard boats, and ambulances working around the clock. The Turkish authorities and the TRNC government are coordinating closely to locate the missing passengers and to provide support to those who have been rescued.
The incident has prompted calls for stricter safety checks on passenger vessels that operate in the Mediterranean. The Turkish government has said it will review maritime safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The community remains hopeful that the missing passengers will be found and that the families will receive closure. The investigation will also aim to identify any shortcomings in the ferry’s operation and to hold those responsible accountable.
The capsizing of the ferry off northern Cyprus has left eight dead and more than a dozen missing. The rescue operation is ongoing, and the investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. The Turkish administration and the TRNC authorities are working together to find the missing passengers, support the families, and ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
The community continues to wait for answers and for the safe return of the missing passengers.