A passenger ferry carrying approximately 270 people capsized roughly 2 kilometres off Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, on Sunday. Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul told CNN Turk that 159 passengers have been located as of the latest update. No confirmed casualties have been reported.
The vessel, a catamaran-type ferry operated by Filo Denizcilik, had just departed Kyrenia port en route to Tasucu in Turkey's Mersin province when it went down near Diana Beach. The Kyrenia-Tasucu corridor is a heavily used commercial route linking the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) — an entity whose international legal standing remains contested — with mainland Turkey.
Latest situation update
According to TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı, the sinking has been confirmed and rescue crews are on scene. State-run TRT reports the ferry began taking in water a few kilometres off the coast; the cause has not been determined.
Three coast guard boats and three civilian vessels are engaged in the search, according to Turkish Cypriot officials, supported by helicopters, ambulances, and police units. All regional hospitals have been placed on alert. Video circulating from the scene shows passengers in life vests among floating debris. Not yet verified: the fate of the roughly 110-120 people not yet located.
Observers are reading: Why maritime authorities lack power to halt sailings even under active storm warnings.
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No official casualty figures have been released for the Kyrenia capsizing. The only confirmed maritime fatality from this storm system remains Dimis Mavropoulos at Cape Greco. Search and rescue operations continue. Further updates as verified information becomes available.
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