A passenger ferry with approximately 270 individuals on board capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, leading to ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to reports from Turkish Cypriot media, Reuters, and AFP.
The incident occurred near the city of Kyrenia/Girne, where the vessel, owned by Filo Denizcilik, overturned after taking on water for reasons that remain unclear.
Authorities confirmed that there were 259 passengers and 8 crew members on board, prompting the Coast Guard to deploy rescue teams to the area, as reported by the local publication Kibris Postasi.
The ferry, which had departed from the port of Kyrenia/Girne in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, capsized without any immediate report of casualties, as stated by the local Ministry of Health.
The ministry added, “All necessary preparations have been made to ensure a rapid response from rescue teams and medical services.”
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a de facto state recognized only by Turkey, while the international community considers it territory of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish military occupation since 1974.
Intense Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue operations to evacuate passengers from the capsized ferry are being conducted with the assistance of boats, ambulances, and helicopters.
Ambulances are continuously arriving to transport rescued passengers to shore, where they are handed over to medical teams. The rescue and evacuation operations are intensifying in the area, according to the cited publication.
The mayor of Turkish Cypriot Kyrenia/Girne, Murat Senkul, confirmed that nearly 270 people, including passengers and crew, were on the ferry, stating that the situation is “serious.”
