A ferry carrying around 270 people capsized off North Cyprus on Sunday, leaving one passenger dead and triggering a large‑scale rescue operation, according to Turkish Cypriot media.
Turkish Cypriot Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı told Anadolu Agency that the vessel had 267 people on board 259 passengers and eight crew members when it overturned shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. (0930 GMT). The privately owned ferry began taking on water for unknown reasons almost immediately after departure.
The vessel was en route to Tasucu, a port in Turkey’s Mersin province, when it capsized. Rescued passengers were taken back to Kyrenia port and transferred to hospitals for treatment.
Kyrenia mayor Murat Şenkul told CNN Türk that 159 passengers had been reached so far. Video footage showed people in red life jackets standing or sitting on top of the overturned vessel as coast guard units and private boats rushed to assist.
Local newspaper Kıbrıs reported that the vessel described in some accounts as a catamaran began taking on water about four miles off the shore.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities work to locate remaining passengers and determine what caused the ferry to capsize.
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