Ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus with 267 on board

A passenger ferry carrying approximately 267 people capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday afternoon, triggering a major search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean Sea. The vessel, a catamaran-style ferry, was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of the island to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province when it began taking on water shortly after departure.

The incident occurred a few kilometers off the coast of Kyrenia. Northern Cyprus Public Works and Transport Minister Erhan Arikli confirmed the ferry had 259 passengers and eight crew members on board. A distress call from the captain prompted an immediate response from Turkish Cypriot coast guard crews, port authorities, and other vessels in the area. Rescue helicopters were also deployed to the scene.

Video footage from the scene showed the ferry overturned in choppy waters, with numerous passengers wearing life jackets taking refuge on the vessel's orange hull. Other individuals were visible in the water around the capsized ship as rescue boats worked to evacuate them. Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul described the situation as very serious.