Ferry Capsizes off North Cyprus: 7 Dead, 23 Missing

A privately operated catamaran ferry carrying more than 267 passengers capsized off the coast of North Cyprus on Sunday, August 30. At least seven people died and 23 remain unaccounted for, while 237 survivors have been pulled from the sea, according to North Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

What Happened

The vessel departed from Kyrenia in North Cyprus en route to Taşucu in Turkey's southern Mersin province. Roughly six kilometers from shore, water began flooding the ship. Crew sent a distress call, but the ferry soon capsized and ultimately sank to a depth of 514 meters, according to the region's transport minister.

Television footage captured the overturned hull floating on the surface, with survivors clinging to the wreck or floating nearby in life vests. Multiple rescue vessels rushed to the scene.

Rescue Operation

North Cyprus health authorities placed hospitals on alert to treat potential casualties. Numerous rescue boats were dispatched, and a helicopter joined the effort to extract survivors from the water. The prime minister confirmed the rescue figures in a statement to Turkish state broadcaster TRT.

The identity of the ferry's operator had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. Several companies run regular services on the Kyrenia–Taşucu route, one of the key links between the Turkish-administered north of Cyprus and mainland Turkey.

Background

Cyprus has been de facto divided since 1974, following a coup backed by Greece's then-military junta and a subsequent Turkish military intervention. North Cyprus is recognized internationally only by Turkey, while the Republic of Cyprus controls the island's southern two-thirds and is an EU member state.