A major search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of northern Cyprus after a high-speed passenger ferry capsized and sank, leaving at least eight people dead and 18 others missing.
The Turkish-flagged vessel, identified as the 40-metre catamaran Filo Jet, was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when the incident occurred, according to BBC.
Operated by Filo Denizcilik, the ferry departed the northern coastal resort town of Kyrenia at about 12:30 pm local time, heading across the eastern Mediterranean towards Tasucu on Turkey’s southern coast.
According to Ünal Üstel, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the vessel began taking on water shortly after departure after being hit by two powerful waves in quick succession.
Üstel said the captain attempted to recover after the first wave struck, but a second wave hit almost immediately, destabilising the vessel.
The trip had initially been scheduled for the previous day but was delayed due to severe weather conditions in the region.
Emergency response teams launched a multi-agency rescue operation involving coastguard vessels, helicopters and nearby civilian boats.
More than 100 survivors were transported to shore, where medical personnel and ambulances were waiting.
Among those involved in the rescue was local boat captain Mustafa Koc, who said he pulled about 65 survivors from the water.
Koc questioned the decision to allow the ferry to sail, saying the sea remained dangerously choppy. He also alleged that the vessel had visible damage to its bow before departure.
Television footage showed the overturned ferry floating upside down, with survivors in orange life jackets clinging to its exposed hull.
Transport Minister Erhan Arikli later confirmed that the vessel had completely submerged.
Authorities have detained the ferry’s captain and seven crew members as part of an investigation into the sinking.
Search teams are also working to recover the vessel’s voyage data recorder, commonly referred to as its black box, to help establish the technical and operational causes of the disaster.
Officials from the TRNC and Turkey have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and promised a thorough investigation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said search operations for the 18 missing people were continuing.
“Immediately after the accident, we launched extensive search-and-rescue operations in co-operation with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Erdogan said.
Üstel said anyone found responsible for negligence or failure to maintain safety standards would be held accountable.
“No one will be spared, regardless of who they are, who is found to be at fault or responsible,” he said in a social media post.
