At least six die in ferry capsize off Northern Cyprus

At least six people died when a ferry capsized off Northern Cyprus on Sunday, the head of the local government said, in a preliminary toll given to Turkish media. The vessel had been carrying 267 people when it rolled over shortly after leaving port.

How many people were on the ferry that capsized off Northern Cyprus?

The ferry was carrying a total of 267 people when it capsized shortly after departing Kyrenia for the Turkish port of Tasucu, according to Unal Ustel, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). He said 172 people had been rescued so far, with operations continuing to evacuate the remaining passengers and crew, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported.

What caused the ferry to capsize?

The cause of the capsize was not immediately known. Turkey's ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Basceri, confirmed there were deaths without giving a number, telling Turkish state broadcaster TRT that the large majority of the 259 passengers had been rescued. Images broadcast on Turkish television showed the upside-down ferry in the water, with survivors in life vests standing atop its orange hull while nearby boats moved in to help.

The weather at the time was sunny, and several vessels were seen assisting in the rescue. The TRNC's health ministry said in a statement that all necessary preparations were being made for a swift response from rescue and health services, and that hospitals across the territory had been alerted to provide medical attention if needed.

What is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?

The TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, controls the northern third of Cyprus, an island divided since 1974. Ankara occupied that part of the island that year in response to an Athens-engineered Greek Cypriot coup that sought union with Greece. The territory today maintains regular air and sea links with Turkey and depends heavily on Turkish support.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said on X that Turkey was providing all necessary assistance to the search and rescue operations. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit the TRNC on Monday to meet its president, Tufan Erhurmann, who was elected by the territory's voters in October. The visit will be Erdogan's first to Northern Cyprus since 2023.