Seven dead after ferry capsizes off Kyrenia en route to Tasucu
Seven people were confirmed dead and 237 passengers and crew rescued after a ferry capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia.
Kyrenia, Cyprus. Seven people were confirmed dead after a ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew capsized shortly after departing from the new port of Kyrenia on Sunday en route to Tasucu in Turkey’s Mersin province. Search and rescue operations continued for 23 people who remained unaccounted for.
Rescue operation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish authorities had launched extensive search and rescue operations in cooperation with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus immediately after the accident.
He said 237 passengers and crew had been saved, while seven deaths had been confirmed. Erdogan said efforts to locate the missing were continuing and that all state resources had been mobilised.
“I offer my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident and wish a speedy recovery to those who were rescued,” he said.
Passenger numbers
The ferry capsized at around 12.10pm, shortly after leaving Kyrenia’s new port for Tasucu.
There were 259 passengers and eight crew members on board. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said shortly after 4.30pm that 237 people had been brought ashore and that rescue efforts were continuing for the remaining 23 people.
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