A passenger ferry capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, shortly after leaving port, the local government said.
“Around 100 passengers have been evacuated and taken to shore,” Erhan Arikli, Transport Minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), told local television.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with the northern part under the administration of the TRNC, which is recognized internationally only by Turkey.
Passenger boat heading from northern Cyprus to Turkey
Turkish media reported that a ferry carrying more than 260 passengers was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province, when it sank.
Arikli told Turkish and Cypriot media that there were 267 people on board — 259 passengers and 8 crew members.
“All necessary preparations are being made for a swift response from rescue and health services,” the TRNC’s Health Ministry said in a statement.
Search and rescue operations ongoing
In a post on X, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said: “We are closely following the unfortunate incident that has occurred and providing all possible support to the search and rescue efforts.”
Turkey’s state-run TRT news channel reported that the ferry began taking on water 7.5 kilometers (4 nautical miles) from the coast.
Edited by: Natalie Muller, Dmytro Hubenko
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