The catamaran-style ferry FILOJET, carrying 267 passengers and crew, capsized on Sunday off the coast of northern Cyprus en route from Kyrenia to the Turkish port of Tasucu, leaving at least seven dead. Authorities said 237 people were rescued while 23 remained missing as coastguard and private vessels searched the area.
The privately owned vessel, operated by Filo Denizcilik, departed Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. local time and began taking on water about 7.5 kilometres off the coast shortly after departure. Turkish Cypriot officials said the ferry encountered adverse weather and issued a distress call, with survivors seen clinging to the overturned hull in life jackets.
Four Turkish Cypriot and five Turkish coastguard vessels, plus two helicopters, were deployed to the scene, while a crisis management committee coordinated rescue efforts. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman noted a fierce storm had battered Cyprus on Saturday but said weather on Sunday was considered suitable for travel, leaving the cause unresolved.