A ferry carrying approximately 267 passengers and crew capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, resulting in at least eight confirmed deaths and dozens of people still reported missing. The vessel, the Filo Jet—a 133-foot high-speed catamaran operating under a Turkish flag—had departed from the port of Kyrenia (also known as Girne) bound for Tasucu, a port on Turkey’s southern coast in Mersin province. The ship was expected to arrive around 5:52 p.m. local time.

According to officials from the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the ferry began taking on water between two to four miles off the Kyrenia coast, approximately 15 minutes after departure. The vessel was then struck by two large waves and eventually capsized, sinking to a depth of around 1,640 to 1,686 feet beneath the surface. Survivors were seen clinging to the overturned hull in life vests, and rescue teams—including coastguard units and helicopters from both the TRNC and Turkey—conducted extensive search and rescue operations.

Prime Minister Unal Ustel of the TRNC commented that all available resources had been deployed to assist those affected and emphasized a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that any negligence would be uncovered with no exceptions. Eight individuals, including the ship’s captain and seven crew members, have been detained as part of the ongoing inquiry. Some survivors reported hearing a blast near the bow prior to the capsizing, though the cause of this sound remains unclear. There have also been claims regarding insufficient life jackets aboard and that some elderly passengers became trapped under seats during the sinking.

The weather in the area was reportedly calm on the day of the accident, with official forecasts indicating generally slight seas near the coast, although conditions further offshore were more exposed. This came after a storm on Saturday that had already caused maritime incidents elsewhere on Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus, which controls the northern third of the island, is recognized only by Turkey and has been politically divided from the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus since 1974. The government in the south has expressed condolences and pledged support for rescue efforts, while Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered sympathy and confirmed close coordination with northern Cypriot authorities.

The ferry was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members. Rescue teams have so far saved at least 237 people, but 17 to 23 individuals remain missing according to various reports. Authorities continue their search and rescue operations, though access to any survivors potentially trapped inside the overturned vessel is considered difficult. Meanwhile, investigations into the exact cause of the capsizing are ongoing.