Ferry capsizes off the coast of Kyrenia: at least seven dead and dozens missing

A ferry that had left the port of Kyrenia/Girne, in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (RTCN), capsized off the coast this Sunday, local officials reported. The Government of Cyprus has reported that there are at least seven dead while rescue teams continue trying to locate 23 people.

So far, "a hundred passengers have been evacuated and transferred to land," the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Erhan Arikli, told local television station 24, according to a publication in X. The total number of passengers who were on board is unknown. "The ferry that has capsized off Girne and water is entering, rescue operations continue," Arikli said.

Images broadcast by Turkish television channels show the ship shaken and partially submerged in rough seas despite good weather, as well as evacuation operations underway and numerous remains floating on the surface.

The mayor of the city of Girne has assured that the damaged passenger ship is the Diana, belonging to the shipping company Filo Denizcilik and that on board there are "a total of 270 people, including travelers and crew." "The situation is extremely serious. The Coast Guard, the Akgünler company's Express ship and numerous small boats are participating in the rescue efforts," he added.

According to the images, all evacuated passengers are wearing orange life jackets. They also show numerous emergency vehicles deployed on the ground.

"All necessary preparations have been carried out to allow rapid intervention by rescue teams and health services," the local Ministry of Health said in a statement.

"All measures have been adopted, both in the port and in public and private hospitals, to be able to respond quickly to possible needs," insisted the Ministry, which claimed to have mobilized its human resources "to the maximum."