Search continues for 18 missing after passenger ship capsizes off Kyrenia

Kyrenia, Cyprus. The search for 18 people missing after a passenger ship capsized off Kyrenia on Sunday entered its second day on Monday, Turkish Cypriot media reported. Eight deaths have been confirmed and 242 passengers were rescued alive, according to “Minister of Transport” Erhan Arikli.

Search operations continue

Arikli said the vessel had come to rest on the seabed at a depth of 514 metres. A specially equipped vessel and divers were expected to arrive from Turkey to assist the search.

The overnight operation involved aircraft, drones, helicopters equipped with night-vision equipment and ships. Searches from the air and sea were due to resume at first light on Monday.

Unal Ustel said a Turkish Navy search and rescue vessel capable of operating at depths of up to 1,000 metres was expected to arrive in the north.

Missing passengers

Children, families and elderly passengers are among those missing. “Authorities” and relatives appealed for anyone with information to contact their nearest “security force” without delay.

According to Turkish Cypriot media, those reported missing include 14-year-old Saliha Miray Bicer and her six-year-old brother Mehmet Asaf Bicer; Nihat Pancar; Elif Bayir, Mehmet Bayhan and 14-year-old Nisa Torer; Nurcan Hilaloglu, Asel Hilaloglu and Nazife Ozbolat.

Also reported missing are Elmas Demir, Gulcan Gulay, Serife Ozdemir and Huseyin Ozdemir; Nurcan Hilaloglu and her daughter; Mehmet Nuri Ayran and Ozgur Gonul; Ismail Kurt; and Suleyman Erdogan.

Victim identified

Sports club Dogan Turk Birligi said Nuray Zeytun, the mother of its women’s football team captain Muzeyyen Dilek Ozbiler, died in the shipwreck.

The club offered condolences to Ozbiler and her family and expressed wishes of strength and patience.

Relatives seek information

Relatives gathered outside Kyrenia port and at hospitals where survivors were taken, demanding information on whether family members were alive, dead or missing and seeking updates on injured passengers.

At a Sunday evening media briefing at a crisis management centre at Kyrenia port, a man shouted at Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, asking whether his wife, who had been on the vessel, was alive. Erhurman, accompanied by “Prime Minister” Ustel, said search operations were continuing, while the man said he had received no answer after waiting for hours.

Some hospitals published the names of patients admitted for treatment or examination. Videos circulating online showed some relatives fainting.

Investigation launched

The ship’s captain and seven crew members have been arrested and remain in custody, Ustel confirmed. He said an investigation had been launched into every aspect of the disaster.

Ustel described the incident as “the worst maritime tragedy Cyprus has ever experienced” and said any negligence would be uncovered, with no leniency for those found responsible.

Turkish maritime expert and academic Senol Caliskan said catamaran-type vessels are generally difficult to sink, but cited the possibility of technical malfunctions, damage or cracks that may not have been detected in time. He also referred to bad weather in the area the previous day and said the ship’s rapid listing required investigation.