Ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus, killing at least seven and leaving 23 missing

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At least seven people have died after a catamaran-style ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, according to Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. The vessel overturned shortly after departing from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Üstel told Turkish state-run TRT that 237 people had been rescued, while 23 remained missing. The ferry began taking on water about 7.5 kilometers off the coast, prompting a distress call. Video footage showed passengers in life vests floating near the capsized vessel as rescue operations unfolded under sunny conditions.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Şenkul identified the ferry as belonging to Filo Denizcilik and said it sank off Diana beach. A survivor told Turkish television that an explosion occurred in the bow of the ship, causing water to flood in, and accused the captain of abandoning the vessel without organizing an evacuation. The survivor reported spending 1.5 hours in the water before being rescued.
The Turkish Cypriot Coast Guard Command, along with six military ships and two helicopters, participated in the search-and-rescue effort, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar. Northern Cyprus Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı stated that injured passengers were being transported to Girne port and then to local hospitals. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said authorities were providing all necessary support for the operation. The ferry, which had been scheduled to depart on Saturday, left Kyrenia on Sunday due to weather conditions, Üstel said. The vessel issued a mayday call at 12:10 local time, reporting it was taking on water approximately 3 miles north of the coast, according to Turkey’s ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Başçeri.
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, confirmed the ship had "completely sunk" at a depth of 514 meters. Hospitals in the territory were placed on alert to treat the injured, the Ministry of Health of Northern Cyprus said in a statement. The incident occurred in the Mediterranean Sea, in the area controlled by Turkish forces since 1974.
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