Passenger Boat Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus Coast
Search and rescue operation underway after vessel carrying 270 people takes on water en route to Turkey.
Carla Rooney
A passenger boat carrying approximately 270 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus.
The vessel began taking on water around 12:30 PM, approximately four miles offshore, during its journey from Kyrenia, Cyprus, to Tasucu, Turkey. Video footage shows individuals wearing life-vests floating in the water around the capsized catamaran.
A search and rescue operation is currently underway, with Turkish Cypriot coastguard boats and rescue helicopters involved. Ambulances have been dispatched to the scene, located about 2km north of Kyrenia.
More than 172 people have been rescued from the incident.
Erhan Arikli confirmed the ship had overturned and rescue crews were already on the scene. More than 172 people have been rescued from the incident.
Murat Senkul stated 159 of the 258 passengers on board the vessel had been rescued. Senkul further claimed 159 of the total 270 people, including crewmembers, had been reached.
99 people remained unaccounted for.
Local officials claim nearly 100 passengers were left unaccounted for, with Senkul specifying 99 people remained unaccounted for. Reports indicate at least six people have died in the incident; other accounts suggest no casualties have been reported so far.
No information was immediately available regarding the status of the crew.