Ferry capsizes off Northern Cyprus, 18 Missing – Search Continues
A high‑speed passenger vessel, carrying 259 people and eight crew, left the popular holiday resort of Kyrenia late on Sunday for Tasucu, Turkey. Only minutes after departure, two swell waves struck the ferry, causing it to take on water and ultimately capsize. Eight people were recorded as dead, while 19 remain treated in hospitals in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Search and rescue teams are still combing the sea 514 metres deep where the wreck lies at the bottom. Debris recovered includes a black wheelie suitcase, a broken sheet of steel, and other scattered items. Authorities are focusing on retrieving the vessel’s black‑box recorder to determine the exact sequence of events.
In the wake of the tragedy, the deputy prime minister in the self‑proclaimed Turkish‑controlled north, Ünal Üstel, declared three days of national mourning. The marine transport company Filo Denizcilik, which operated the vessel, has expressed deep sorrow and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The incident is being felt across the region, as families at Kyrenia’s port await news on missing relatives, including the two children of Ayten Bicer who were left behind when the boat tipped over. Several passengers' families are still in the port, holding fingers crossed for safety messages, as rescue crews aim to locate the missing.
