Ferry sinks off the coast of Cyprus: 7 dead
The ship had raised the alarm over a water ingress incident approximately three miles north of the Cypriot coast
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 water ingress approximately 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.
7 dead and 237 people rescued
At present, there are at least seven confirmed fatalities. This is according to the pro-government Turkish newspaper, DailySabah, which quotes Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. 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 a further 23 people was continuing.
