Ferry Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus, Killing 7 and Leaving 23 Missing | ChatZyr

At least seven people have died and 23 remain missing after a passenger ferry carrying 267 people capsized off Northern Cyprus on Sunday, triggering a major search-and-rescue operation.

The vessel was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it overturned shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, on its way to the Turkish port of Taşucu.

Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said 237 people had been rescued, while search teams continued efforts to locate those still missing.

The cause of the accident has not yet been established. Officials said the vessel began taking on water shortly after departure, while adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the incident.

Ferry overturns shortly after departure

The vessel left Kyrenia at around midday and was reportedly only a short distance from the coast when the emergency unfolded.

Passengers were forced to abandon the ferry as it overturned in the sea.

Images from the scene showed survivors wearing life jackets and sitting on the overturned vessel's hull as rescue boats moved toward them.

Several boats and aircraft were involved in the emergency response as authorities worked to evacuate passengers and search the surrounding waters.

237 people rescued

Officials said 237 people had been rescued, while seven people were confirmed dead and 23 remained missing.

Those rescued were taken toward Kyrenia, where medical teams and emergency services had been placed on standby.

Hospitals in Northern Cyprus were alerted to receive passengers requiring medical treatment.

The search continued as authorities worked to determine whether any of the missing passengers or crew could still be located.

Cause remains under investigation

Authorities have not yet provided a definitive explanation for why the ferry capsized.

Officials said the vessel began taking on water shortly after leaving port.

Adverse weather conditions have also been cited as a possible contributing factor, but investigators have yet to establish whether weather, mechanical problems, flooding or another issue caused the accident.

A full investigation is expected to examine the condition of the vessel, its operation, weather conditions and the circumstances surrounding the rapid flooding.

Türkiye provides assistance

Türkiye has joined the search-and-rescue effort, with Turkish authorities providing support to Northern Cyprus.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said all necessary assistance was being provided to help rescue those still missing.

The incident has also drawn the attention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was scheduled to visit Northern Cyprus on Monday.

An important route between Northern Cyprus and Türkiye

The ferry was travelling between Kyrenia and Taşucu, one of the key maritime links connecting Northern Cyprus with Türkiye.

Northern Cyprus is recognised internationally only by Türkiye and controls the northern part of the divided island of Cyprus.

The route is regularly used by passengers travelling between the two territories, making the incident particularly significant for maritime transport in the region.

Search continues for the missing

With 23 people still unaccounted for, the rescue operation remains the immediate priority.

Authorities are continuing to search the waters around the site while survivors receive medical attention and investigators begin examining what caused the ferry to overturn.

For the families of those still missing, every hour of the operation carries enormous importance.

The focus now remains on finding those who have not yet been accounted for, recovering the victims and determining how the disaster happened.

Why it matters: The ferry was carrying 267 people when it capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia. With seven confirmed dead and 23 still missing, the incident has triggered a major rescue operation involving Northern Cyprus and Türkiye. The cause remains under investigation, with adverse weather among the possible contributing factors.

Disclaimer: This report is based on information from official statements and credible publicly available sources at the time of publication. Casualty and missing-person figures may change as search and rescue operations continue and authorities identify those involved.

Published by ChatZyr Editorial Desk