7 dead, 172 rescued after ferry carrying 270 capsizes off North Cyprus, ‘completely’ sinks | World News

7 dead, 172 rescued after ferry carrying 270 capsizes off North Cyprus, ‘completely’ sinks

According to the local Kibris newspaper, the ferry started taking in water about four miles off the shore. Ambulances had been dispatched to the scene, it said.

At least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.

More than 172 people have been rescued so far, Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT, AP reported.

The catamaran-style ferry was travelling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province, according to AP. According to an official quoted by AFP, the capsized ferry has “completely sunk”.

"All necessary preparations are being made for a swift response from rescue and health services," the health ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which governs the northern third of the divided island of Cyprus, said in a statement, according to AFP.

Also Read: Eight more bodies recovered from Lake Kariba as Zimbabwe ferry capsizing death toll rises to 80

Meanwhile, Northern Cyprus Transportation Minister Erhan Arikli told Turkish state-run TRT news channel that the ship had overturned and that rescue crews were already on the scene, AP reported.

He added that about 100 people have been rescued and brought to Kyrnia so far, with search and rescue operations ongoing, according to Bloomberg.

“We don’t know what caused the vessel to take on water,” Arikli said.

While many companies run ferries on the busy route between Kyrenia and TasucuIt, it is not yet known which company was operating the ferry that capsized.

Visuals on social media show people with life-vests floating in the waters around the capsized vessel.

In a similar incident, a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of southern Tunisia, killing at least two people and leaving 12 missing, Tunisia's national guard said. One survivor was rescued.

Guard spokesperson Houssem Eddine Jebabli told state news agency that authorities recovered two bodies and transferred them to a hospital on the nearby island of Djerba.

He told national radio Mosaique FM that about 15 people were believed to be aboard the boat when it took off between the cities of Zarzis and Ben Guerdane.

Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More