A ferry carrying 267 passengers capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, leaving at least eight people dead and 20 others missing, according to authorities in northern Cyprus. The vessel had just departed from the port of Kyrenia (Girne in Turkish) en route to Tasucu in southern Turkey when it was struck by violent seas, leading to the disaster.
Survivors described chaotic scenes onboard as the ferry was battered by rough waves, forcing passengers to scramble for life vests and safety rafts amid rising panic. Several accounts indicated that some exits became jammed, and many passengers had to jump into the sea or cling to the partially submerged vessel. Reports also raised questions about safety practices, with some passengers saying they urged the crew to turn back after feeling the ship’s violent movement, but their requests were denied.
Firat Gencer, a local water sports operator, witnessed the ferry’s departure despite rough conditions and alerted the coast guard after seeing lifeboats deployed soon afterward. Gencer and his team rescued 55 people, focusing on families with children. He described the scene as one of "total chaos" and "a fight for survival," noting that some passengers were coated with diesel fuel from the ferry’s leaking tanks, complicating rescue efforts.
Authorities in northern Cyprus, a breakaway region recognized only by Turkey, declared three days of mourning and launched a criminal investigation. Fourteen individuals, including the ferry’s captain and other crew members, appeared in court on Monday on suspicion of causing death through negligence. Nine were detained, while five were released pending further inquiry.
Relatives of the missing gathered at the Kyrenia port, awaiting news and expressing anguish. The Bicer family, whose two children went missing during the incident, voiced their distress, emphasizing the agonizing uncertainty surrounding their fate. Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhurman announced that deep-diving robotic vessels capable of reaching 500 meters would arrive to assist in the search of the sunken ferry.
Passengers on board included residents of northern Cyprus, visitors from Turkey, and at least one tourist from Iran. Survivor accounts detailed the vessel’s abrupt, violent motions shortly after departure, with one section reportedly breaking and allowing seawater to flood the cabin. Many passengers reported difficulty locating life jackets and life buoys, forcing some to abandon ship without proper flotation devices.
The accident has further deepened sorrow across northern Cyprus, which has been under Turkish military control since 1974. The region declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, a status unrecognized by the international community except for Turkey. Rescue operations continue as authorities seek to recover missing individuals and clarify the circumstances that led to the tragedy.