Ferry carrying 270 people capsizes off northern Cyprus with 99 still unaccounted for as rescue helicopters rush to scene
Rescue helicopters and coastguard vessels rush to the scene where a capsized ferry carrying 270 people left 99 unaccounted for off northern Cyprus.Survivors in lifejackets were seen sitting atop the upturned orange hull as nearby boats joined the coastguard response four miles off the Kyrenia coast.
A catamaran-style ferry capsized four miles off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday afternoon after departing the port of Kyrenia bound for the Turkish port of Tasucu. Kyrenia mayor Murat Senkul told CNN Turk that 159 of the 258 passengers on board had been reached, with 99 still unaccounted for. Coastguard boats and rescue helicopters scrambled to the scene, with footage showing survivors in lifejackets sitting atop the upturned orange hull. No fatalities had been confirmed at the time of reporting, though the search operation remains ongoing.
Water began entering the vessel approximately four miles from shore; TRNC transport minister Erhan Arikli said around 100 passengers had been evacuated and taken to shore.
The mayor described the incident as 'very serious' and cautioned against speculation over the cause, which authorities say is still under investigation.
Ambulances were dispatched to Kyrenia as the rescue operation continued, with sunny weather aiding efforts and several nearby boats joining coastguard vessels at the scene.
