Authorities have detained the captain and crew members of a ferry that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, killing at least eight people, as investigators work to determine what caused the vessel to go down in rough seas.
The catamaran-style ferry, carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew, was traveling from the port of Kyrenia to the Turkish port of Tasucu when it began taking on water shortly after departure on Sunday.
Rescue operation
Unal Ustel, prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, said 237 people had been rescued, with a search continuing for roughly 22 others still missing. He said the ferry ran into adverse weather and began sinking about 15 minutes after leaving port, prompting a distress call.
Turkish authorities deployed coast guard vessels, a passenger ship and navy ships, along with helicopters, to assist in the search. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said the vessel sank in waters roughly 500 metres deep, complicating recovery efforts, and cautioned against speculating on the cause while noting weather conditions were not severe.
Investigation and detentions
Police detained eight people, including the ferry’s captain, as part of the investigation into the sinking, according to Ustel. The vessel, operated by the Filo Denizcilik ferry company, went down off Diana beach on Cyprus’s northern coast.
Accounts from survivors have varied. Some passengers told local media that an explosion occurred near the bow before the vessel rolled over, while others said crew ignored early warnings about water entering the ship and that life jackets were in short supply. Some witnesses alleged the captain was among the first to leave the vessel without organizing a rescue effort. These accounts could not be independently verified.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences and said Ankara was coordinating with northern Cyprus on the search and rescue operation.
