Cyprus offers search and rescue support after ferry capsizes off Kyrenia

Larnaca, Cyprus. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said on Sunday it was ready to assist search and rescue operations launched following the capsize of a passenger ferry off the coast of Kyrenia.

The Republic of Cyprus conveyed its readiness to provide aeronautical search and rescue assets through the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus.

Offer of assistance

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the JRCC contacted the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) and requested that its message be conveyed to the Turkish Cypriot side.

The message stated that the Republic of Cyprus was ready, if necessary, to offer assistance with aeronautical search and rescue assets.

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.

Ferry incident

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

There were 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and eight crew members.

Turkish Cypriot Kyrenia mayor Murat Senkul said at around 2.30pm that 159 people had been brought ashore, while efforts were continuing to rescue the other eight.

Later, Turkish ambassador in Nicosia Ali Murat Basceri said there had been some losses of life as a result of the incident.