At least 8 dead after ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers, crew capsizes off northern Cyprus
A ferry carrying nearly 270 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus due to adverse weather conditions, resulting in at least eight deaths. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with international offers of assistance from the Cypriot government.
Why it matters
This is a significant maritime disaster involving a large number of passengers, highlighting the risks of sea travel during severe weather.
Some 237 people have been rescued, Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT news channel. He said a search was underway for the remaining missing.
Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking on water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences and said his government was co-ordinating with Northern Cyprus in the search-and-rescue effort.
"We hope we’ll be receiving positive news," Erdogan said on Sunday in Ankara while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Turkish Military Academy.
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