At least six people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew members capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday. More than 172 people have been rescued so far, according to Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel, who spoke to Turkish state-run broadcaster TRT.
The catamaran-style ferry was travelling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in northern Cyprus, towards the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province. The incident prompted an emergency response involving search and rescue teams and health services.
According to the local Kibris newspaper, the ferry began taking in water approximately four miles off the coast. Ambulances were dispatched to the area as authorities responded to the emergency. The health ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said preparations were being made for a rapid response from rescue and medical services.
Northern Cyprus Transportation Minister Erhan Arikli told TRT that the vessel had overturned and that rescue crews had reached the scene. Earlier reports indicated that around 100 people had been rescued and taken to Kyrenia, while subsequent updates put the number of people rescued at more than 172.
Officials have not yet established what caused the ferry to take on water. Arikli said authorities did not know the reason behind the incident at the time of the reported updates.
The incident has raised concerns about passenger safety while authorities continue their emergency response. Further details regarding the vessel, the circumstances leading to the capsizing and the status of those rescued are expected as the operation progresses.
In a separate maritime incident, a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of southern Tunisia, resulting in at least two deaths and leaving 12 people missing, according to Tunisia's National Guard.
One person survived and was rescued, while authorities recovered two bodies and transferred them to a hospital on the nearby island of Djerba. National Guard spokesperson Houssem Eddine Jebabli said the boat was believed to have been carrying around 15 people.
The ferry disaster off northern Cyprus has resulted in six confirmed deaths and more than 172 rescues, while search and rescue efforts continue. Authorities have yet to determine what caused the vessel to take on water and overturn. As emergency teams remain engaged, further information is expected to clarify the number of people affected and the circumstances of the incident.
