Cyprus aid offer declined after ferry sinks off Kyrenia

Larnaca, Cyprus. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said Turkish Cypriot authorities declined its offer of assistance following the sinking of a passenger ferry off the coast of Kyrenia on Sunday. Eight people have been confirmed dead and 17 remain unaccounted for.

Cyprus offers assistance

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) said it had initially declared its readiness to support the search-and-rescue operation launched in the north after the vessel capsized.

It contacted the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp), requesting that the message be conveyed to the Turkish Cypriot side that the Republic of Cyprus was ready to assist if necessary.

The Cyprus News Agency reported that President Nikos Christodoulides instructed his chief negotiator, Menelaos Menelaou, to seek communication with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman to make clear the Republic of Cyprus’ readiness to provide all possible assistance.

A government official said that when human lives are in danger, the Republic of Cyprus contributes with every available means and has the operational capability and readiness to assist immediately.

Search operation continues

The offer was declined, with Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel saying that, as of 7pm, two aircraft, four helicopters, four unmanned drones and four coastguard boats remained active in the area.

He said a Turkish navy search-and-rescue vessel capable of operating at depths of up to 1,000 metres was expected to join the operation later on Sunday.

The vessel would enable searches to extend to the sea floor. Turkish Cypriot ‘transport minister’ Erhan Arikli said earlier that the ferry had sunk to a depth of 514 metres.

Ferry sank after departure

The ferry capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia’s new port at around 12.10pm. It had been travelling to the Turkish port of Tasucu.