A passenger ferry has capsized off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), resulting in eight confirmed deaths and leaving 18 passengers missing. President Tufan Erhurman, who addressed reporters alongside Prime Minister Unal Ustel, stated that the vessel is currently resting at a depth of 514 metres near the coastal city of Kyrenia.
Authorities have successfully rescued 241 people from the water. While four of the deceased victims have been identified, efforts remain ongoing to confirm the identities of the remaining four casualties. In response to the tragedy, the Turkish Cypriot Council of Ministers has declared three days of national mourning.
A massive, uninterrupted search and rescue operation is currently underway, bolstered by significant support from Türkiye. The Turkish government has deployed a wide array of assets, including three aircraft, four unmanned aerial vehicles, six helicopters, four Coast Guard boats, a fast attack craft, a frigate, and a patrol vessel. The TRNC has contributed its own resources to the effort, including four Coast Guard boats, two helicopters, a fast-attack craft, a patrol vessel, as well as police and Civil Defence teams.
The scale of the disaster has also impacted local diplomatic schedules, with the Turkish Embassy in Lefkosa cancelling a reception that had been planned for Sunday to commemorate Türkiye's 30 August Victory Day.
