- Nearly 20 people were missing on Monday after a ferry capsized off northern Cyprus, killing at least eight, as divers joined search teams.
- Divers from Turkey were assisting the search, and officials gave differing estimates of the missing, with some saying 19 and others 18.
- It was unclear if people remained trapped on the vessel, now lying on the seabed at a depth of more than 500 m (1,640 ft).
- A man named Naif Ezer waited outside the port for 12 hours or more for news of passengers, and said that of three friends traveling home, one had been found but the other two were still missing.
Nearly 20 people are still missing after a ferry capsized off northern Cyprus, leading to at least eight confirmed deaths. The incident occurred shortly after the vessel departed Kyrenia for the Turkish port of Tasucu, with 267 passengers on board. Survivors reported that the ferry took in water and flipped violently before crashing into the sea, with part of its bow bursting open on impact.1
As divers from Turkey assist in the search, officials have provided conflicting reports on the number of missing individuals, estimating between 18 and 19. Survivors were seen clinging to the overturned hull, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. One survivor, Naif Ezer, expressed his distress, stating, “We've been waiting since the morning, for 12 hours or maybe more.” Among the missing are two friends traveling home to see their families, with only one of the trio found so far.2356
The ferry now lies on the seabed at a depth of more than 500 meters (1,640 feet), raising concerns about whether anyone remains trapped inside. Authorities have detained the captain and crew for questioning as investigations into the cause of the tragedy continue.4
“The vessel rests at a depth exceeding 500 meters, complicating rescue efforts. Turkish divers are assisting, while officials give conflicting missing counts of 18 or 19; one man, Naif Ezer, waited over 12 hours at the port, with two of his three friends still unaccounted for.”
