A catamaran ferry carrying 259 passengers and eight crew capsized shortly after departing Kyrenia port in northern Cyprus, bound for Tasucu in Mersin province, Turkey. At least seven people died, 237 were rescued, and 23 remained missing as coastguard vessels and helicopters searched the area where the vessel lies overturned about four nautical miles offshore.
The vessel, operated by Filo Denizcilik under the name FILOJET, began taking on water around 15 minutes after its 12:30 p.m. local departure, Turkish Cypriot authorities said. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman confirmed the death toll and missing count on live television, while Prime Minister Unal Ustel said the ferry had encountered adverse weather and issued a distress call.
The ferry sank the day after severe storms lashed Cyprus, though Erhurman noted conditions were assessed as suitable for the crossing. The route between Kyrenia and Tasucu is one of several daily shuttle services linking the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with Turkey; four TRNC coastguard vessels, five Turkish coastguard vessels, two helicopters, and a civilian passenger boat were deployed to the scene.
Authorities have not determined a cause beyond the vessel taking on water minutes after leaving port, and rescue teams were attempting to reach anyone still trapped inside the overturned hull.