A cruise ship leaving from the port of Kyrenia/Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC, self-proclaimed) with nearly 270 people on board capsized on Sunday, killing at least seven people, with around twenty still missing.
The causes of the sinking, which occurred 6.5 km from the Cypriot coast, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry, are not known, but a witness reported an explosion, causing the front of the boat to plunge.
“Of the 267 people on board the ship, 237 were rescued, seven died and 23 are still missing,” said TRNC Prime Minister Unal Ustel, live on Turkish public television channel TRT.
Rescue operations mobilize a large number of boats, including private ones, according to available images. Amateur videos broadcast on the X network show the ferry lying, half-submerged from the front, with passengers perched on its sides waiting for help.
In a message on
An unidentified passenger, aged around 50, reported an “explosion” at the front of the boat where he had taken a seat.
Questioned by local television channels upon his arrival at the port, the man with the graying beard claimed to have spent “an hour and a half in the water” before being rescued.
“The bow exploded, (the boat) tried to turn around. And the side windows blew out. The boat took on water,” he said, shocked, affirming that many people were inside.
Charge against the captain
“Those who were able to flee,” he reported, specifying that he was in the front part which sank. The man also accuses the captain of having jumped first “without organizing anything”.
Images broadcast by Turkish television channels show the boat tossed around, partly submerged in rough seas, with rolling waves but in good weather, as well as numerous debris floating on the surface.
Evacuated passengers, visibly shocked, wear orange life jackets according to these images, which also show numerous emergency vehicles and helicopters positioned on land.
“All necessary preparations have been made to allow rapid intervention by emergency services and health services,” said the local Ministry of Health in a press release.
“All measures have been taken, both at the port and in public and private hospitals in order to be able to respond quickly to possible needs,” insists the ministry, which claims to be mobilized “to the maximum”.
The TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, proclaimed its independence from Cyprus in 1983, nine years after the Turkish army invaded the north of the island, following a Cypriot nationalist coup supported by Greece. It occupies about a third of the island.
Sometimes considered the “82nd province of Turkey” as it depends on its powerful sponsor for its survival, the TRNC can also count on his support, indicated Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz on
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected on Monday on the island for an official visit to his counterpart Tufan Erhurman, which had been planned for a long time.
This is his first visit since 2023 and especially since the election of the new president in October at the head of the TRCN.
Mr. Erhuman was hospitalized in July after feeling unwell. Unlike his predecessor, who aligned himself with the Turkish position advocating two distinct states in Cyprus, Mr. Erhurman said he was in favor during his campaign of a single state of a federal nature.
