At Least Seven Dead and 23 Missing After Ferry Capsizes Off North Cyprus Coast

At least seven people have died and 23 others remain missing after a passenger ferry carrying nearly 270 people capsized shortly after departing from northern Cyprus. Rescue teams have successfully brought 237 survivors to shore following the maritime disaster off the coast of Kyrenia.

The vessel involved, a privately owned catamaran ferry named the FILOJET, departed the port of Kyrenia at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time on a scheduled trip to the port of Tasucu in Turkey's Mersin province. According to the Turkish Cypriot Interior Ministry, the boat was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it began taking on water for unknown reasons about four nautical miles off the coast.

Emergency Rescue Operations

Footage from the scene showed survivors wearing red life jackets sitting and standing atop the overturned hull as emergency teams rushed to the area. A multi-agency search and rescue operation was launched immediately, involving four Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels, five Turkish coastguard vessels, two helicopters, and a civilian passenger boat.

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman confirmed the casualty numbers during a broadcast on CNN Turk, expressing deep sadness over the deaths. He noted that while 237 individuals had been rescued alive, efforts were ongoing to locate the 23 missing persons. Erhurman added that reaching anyone who might still be trapped inside the overturned vessel poses significant technical challenges.

Investigation Into the Cause

The disaster occurred a day after severe storms hit Cyprus, causing a fatality elsewhere on the island when a sailboat crashed onto rocks in the southeast. However, Erhurman stated that weather conditions at the time of the ferry's departure were deemed suitable for travel. Authorities have established a crisis management committee to oversee operations, with Prime Minister Unal Ustel emphasizing that saving human lives remains the government's primary focus.