Object found off Kyrenia believed to be capsized ferry as 20 remain missing

Kyrenia, Cyprus. An object located at a depth of 550 metres off Kyrenia is believed to be the ferry that capsized on Sunday, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said, as 20 people remained missing.

At least eight people died after the twin-hulled vessel, carrying 267 passengers and crew, began taking in water and overturned shortly after leaving Kyrenia port for Tasucu in Turkey’s Mersin province.

Search operations continue

A specialist Turkish search team is working to pinpoint the wreckage, with search and rescue operations continuing both underwater and on the surface.

Erhurman said the operation was being carried out with extreme caution and that results should not be expected quickly. Searches were to continue throughout the night, while a second search and rescue vessel was expected to reach the occupied areas the following morning.

“Surface searches are also continuing without interruption. They haven’t stopped. Work is continuing simultaneously both under the sea and on the surface,” Erhurman said.

Deep-water equipment deployed

Erhurman said divers could not descend beyond 90 metres and that operating at depths of about 500 metres was not straightforward. He said the process of lowering robotic technology had begun, noting that sea currents in the area required the system to be lowered gradually.

The Turkish navy rescue vessel TCG Isin has a remotely operated vehicle capable of searching the deep water where the ferry sank, about four nautical miles off the coast.

Major Ulas Cesur, commander of the TCG Isin, said salvage operations would begin once the wreck was identified.

“Once the wreck is identified, salvage operations will begin at a significant depth of 500 metres (1,640 feet), and detailed search and investigation activities will be carried out… using a remotely operated vehicle,” Cesur said.

Survivors and investigation

Survivors who clung to part of the overturned hull were rescued by boats. Footage posted on social media appeared to show people inside one of the vessel’s compartments while others waited for help on the tip of the boat. Children are among those missing.

The cause of the disaster is under investigation. Turkish Cypriot authorities said the vessel had a valid seaworthiness certificate.

Witnesses said the wide-bodied catamaran was lurching violently before crashing into the water, with the impact tearing open part of its bow.