3 days ago
Ferry With 270 Aboard Overturns Off North Cyprus, Deaths Reported
A ferry carrying about 270 people overturned near northern Cyprus.
It had left Kyrenia and was traveling to Tasucu in Turkey.
The boat started filling with water soon after it left the port.
One report said this happened for an unknown reason, while another blamed bad weather.
Rescue teams used coastguard and private boats to help people.
Earlier reports said one person had died and 159 passengers had been reached.
Later reports said at least seven people had died, 237 had been rescued and 24 were missing.
People who were rescued were taken to Kyrenia port and then to hospitals.
The different numbers may reflect reports made at different stages of the rescue.
A privately owned ferry left Kyrenia for Tasucu at 12:30 p.m. local time.
The vessel began taking on water shortly after departure, with reports differing on the cause.
Officials initially said 267 people were aboard, including 259 passengers and eight crew.
Later Turkish media reports said at least seven people died, 237 were rescued and 24 remained missing.
The ferry overturned about four miles, or 7.5 kilometers, off North Cyprus near Diana beach.
- Who
- A privately owned ferry carried about 267 to 270 passengers and crew; reports later said at least seven people died and 24 were missing.
- What
- The ferry overturned after taking on water, prompting a large rescue and search operation.
- Where
- About four miles, or 7.5 kilometers, off the northern coast of Cyprus near Diana beach, while traveling from Kyrenia to Tasucu in Turkey.
- When
- Sunday; the ferry departed at 12:30 p.m. local time, or 0930 GMT.
- Why
- Reports differed: one said the cause was unknown, while another said adverse weather led the ferry to take in water.
Earlier Reuters Account
Later Turkish Media Account
Casualties and rescue progress
Earlier Reuters Account
The earlier account reported one passenger dead and said Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul stated that 159 passengers had been reached.
Later Turkish Media Account
The later account reported at least seven deaths, 237 people rescued and 24 people still missing.
Cause of the incident
Earlier Reuters Account
The vessel was reported to have started taking on water for an unknown reason shortly after departure.
Later Turkish Media Account
Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel said adverse weather conditions caused the ferry to begin taking in water about 15 minutes after departure.
Key facts
- People aboard
- Officials initially gave the number as 267: 259 passengers and eight crew; other reports described the total as nearly 270.
- Reported deaths
- An earlier report said one passenger died; a later Turkish media report said at least seven people died.
- Rescue figures
- A later report said 237 people were rescued and 24 remained missing; an earlier report said 159 passengers had been reached.
- Departure
- The ferry left Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. local time, or 0930 GMT.
- Route
- The vessel was traveling to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
- Location of incident
- The ferry overturned about four miles, or 7.5 kilometers, off North Cyprus near Diana beach.
- Rescue response
- Coastguard and private vessels were used, and rescued people were taken to Kyrenia port for transfer to hospitals.
Sources
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