Ferry Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus; 100 Evacuated, Fatalities Reported

A ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew capsized shortly after departing from Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, bound for Mersin’s Taşucu port in southern Turkey on Sunday, resulting in fatalities, according to officials.

Unal Ustel, Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), confirmed “some fatalities” but did not provide an exact death toll. He stated that approximately 100 people had been rescued so far. The vessel overturned shortly after leaving Kyrenia Harbor, triggering an immediate response from Turkish and TRNC authorities.

Rescue operations involved multiple boats and emergency teams, with television footage showing the capsized ferry partially submerged, its orange hull visible above the water. Survivors, many wearing life jackets, were seen clinging to the upturned vessel. The weather conditions were reported as favorable, with sunny skies aiding search and rescue efforts.

The TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, governs the northern third of the island of Cyprus, which has remained divided since the 1974 Turkish intervention following a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at unification with Greece. Regular maritime and air connections link the TRNC with mainland Turkey, facilitating movement between the regions.

In a statement, the TRNC Ministry of Health said, “All necessary preparations are being made for a swift response from rescue and health services.” It added that hospitals across the TRNC had been alerted to be ready to receive any injured survivors.

Efforts to determine the full extent of casualties and assess the cause of the capsize are ongoing. Authorities have not yet released details about the ferry’s operator, vessel history, or whether any mechanical or navigational issues contributed to the incident.

The search for additional survivors continues as emergency teams work to stabilize the situation.

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