Ferry sinks off the coast of Cyprus: 8 dead. Captain and crew arrested

There have been “loss of life” following the capsizing of a ferry carrying 270 people off the coast of Kyrenia. This was stated by the Turkish ambassador in Nicosia, Ali Murat Basceri, according to reports by the Turkish broadcaster TRT. The vessel had sent out a distress signal at 12.10, reporting that water was pouring in about three miles north of the Cypriot coast, shortly after leaving port. ‘Unfortunately, there have been casualties,’ said the ambassador. According to the Turkish newspaper ‘Kibris’, the ferry began taking on water about seven kilometres from the coast.

At present, there are at least eight confirmed fatalities. This was announced by Erhan Arikli, Minister of Public Works and Transport of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ünal Üstel, told the Turkish media that 237 people had been rescued from the ship and that the search for those still missing was continuing.

The captain and eight other crew members of the ferry that sank off the coast of Northern Cyprus have been arrested on suspicion of possible negligence: this was reported by the Cyprus Mail, quoting the Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Unal Ustel. “Every aspect of this incident will be investigated,” said Ustel.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Erhan Arikli announced on the Turkish broadcaster TRT that the ferry had completely sunk to a depth of 514 metres. According to Arikli, as quoted by TRT on X – which has not confirmed the fate of the missing passengers – 161 people “have been taken to hospital and 76 have been reunited with their families”. The authorities had previously reported that there were 267 people on board.