A serious maritime accident occurred on Sunday, August 30, off the coast of Northern Cyprus. A ferry carrying 267 people, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members, capsized after leaving the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne. The latest report indicates at least 7 deaths, while 237 people have been rescued and 23 remain missing.
The ferry started taking on water shortly after its departure
The vessel, a catamaran-type ferry operated by the Filo Denizcilik company, departed Kyrenia around 12:30 PM bound for Taşucu, in the Turkish province of Mersin. Shortly after its departure, the ship began taking on water off the northern coast of Cyprus. Faced with the situation, the captain issued a distress call. Resources from the coast guard and port authorities were immediately dispatched to the scene. Fishing boats and private vessels also participated in the rescue operations. According to several eyewitness accounts, some passengers jumped into the sea when the situation became critical. Images taken at the scene also show survivors wearing life jackets in the water or clinging to the overturned hull of the ferry.
237 survivors, search continues for 23 people
The situation rapidly changed as the search progressed. Turkish Cypriot authorities eventually announced that 237 of the 267 occupants had been found alive. Seven people had died and 23 others were still missing, according to the latest figures available Sunday afternoon. Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman confirmed that the search was continuing: "237 have been found alive. Seven people have lost their lives. We have not yet been able to find 23 people. Our search and rescue teams are working." Those rescued are being taken to the port of Girne, where ambulances and medical teams have been deployed. Public and private hospitals in the region have also been mobilized to treat any potential injuries.
Significant resources deployed at sea
Several coast guard units, civilian vessels, and a helicopter have been deployed. Authorities have established a crisis center to coordinate operations, with the priority being to locate those still missing. The Republic of Cyprus, which does not control the northern part of the island, has also indicated its readiness to provide aerial search and rescue resources if assistance is requested.
The causes of the shipwreck are yet to be determined.
The exact circumstances of the accident are still under investigation. The ferry began taking on water shortly after departure, and the captain reportedly attempted to turn back before the vessel capsized. Authorities announced that an inquiry would determine why the ship was flooded so quickly. Turkish Cypriot Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı stated that no definitive conclusions could yet be drawn regarding the cause of the accident. The search continues at sea for the 23 people still missing.
