Search teams are desperately trying to locate 23 people who were aboard a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.
At least seven people have died in the incident, self-declared Northern Cyprus prime minister Unal Ustel confirmed, and 237 people have been rescued.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said: “We have still not been able to reach 23 people. Search and rescue teams are working very intensively to find them.
“If there are people still inside the vessel, reaching them does not appear easy at the moment. Efforts are being made using other technologies to reach them as well.”
The catamaran-style boat 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.
Mr Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure before a call for help was issued.
Survivors were left clinging to its overturned hull and footage of the incident shows people with life vests floating in the waters around the capsized vessel.
It has been reported that there were 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and eight crew.
Key Points
- Search teams struggling to locate possible survivors
- At least seven dead after ferry capsizes
- 'Utmost priority' is to reach 23 missing people, says self-declared PM
- Everything we know about the fatal ferry accident in Cyprus today
- Helicopters and navy boats deployed in search for missing passengers
At least three children in intensive care, says Turkish MP
16:55 , Maira ButtAt least three children are in intensive care following a boat that capsized on Sunday, according to Turkish MP Sami Ozuslu.
“They are in intensive care but seem to be out of danger,” he told The Guardian.
Turkish MP says death toll likely to rise with reports of up to 10 dead
16:47 , Maira ButtTurkish MP Sami Ozuslu has said that the death toll has risen on Sunday.
“Sadly we are now hearing that there are nine or ten dead,” he told The Guardian.
“I met many relatives at the central hospital in Nicosia earlier today who were looking for family members among the missing.”
Boat operator saddened by 'deeply tragic' incident
16:40 , Maira ButtFilo Denizcilik, the company which operates the boat that capsized on Sunday has released a statement in the aftermath of the incident.
It said the company "deeply saddened by the tragic accident" and that a hotline has been set up to provide information to passengers’ relatives.
The company says it has deployed resources to assist with search and rescue operations.
Full story: At least 7 dead after ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsizes off northern Cyprus
16:19 , Maira ButtAt least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish media reported.
Some 237 people have been rescued, Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT news channel. He said a search was underway for another 24 people.
Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, he said.
At least 7 dead after ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsizes off northern Cyprus
Watch: Passengers sit on top of capsized ferry off coast of Cyprus
16:02 , Harriette Boucher 15:55 , Harriette BoucherIn pictures: Urgent search underway to find 23 missing passengers
15:36 , Harriette Boucher
Man killed in separate boating incident in Cyprus
15:29 , Harriette BoucherA man was killed and several others injured in a separate boating accident in the south east of Cyprus on Saturday.
Dimis Mavropoulos, a Greek-Cypriot businessman in his 70s, died after his sailboat crashed onto rocks in the rough seas as the island was battered by fierce storms.
Local media reported that he was pulled unconscious from the water by a rescue helicopter and airlifted to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two survivors were being treated in hospital, according to reports.
Search teams struggling to locate possible survivors
15:19 , Harriette BoucherSearch teams are having difficulty reaching possible passengers in the capsized ferry, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has said.
Speaking from the crisis centre set up in the area, he told reporters: “We have still not been able to reach 23 people. Search and rescue teams are working very intensively to find them.
"If there are people still inside the vessel, reaching them does not appear easy at the moment. Efforts are being made using other technologies to reach them as well.”
Mr Erhurman said there was a “great sense of shock” about the incident, noting that the weather was considered suitable for travel.
“This is not something we have experienced before... we are extremely saddened. Everyone is doing everything they can and making every effort,” he said.
In pictures: Capsized ferry carrying hundreds of passengers was 'high speed craft'
15:12 , Harriette BoucherThe Filo Jet ferry that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus today was a “high speed craft” sailing under a Turkish flag.
According to Marine Traffic, it left the northern Cypriot port of Kyrenia at 11:58am on Sunday and was due to arrive at Tasucu in Turkey at 5.52pm local time.
The ferry, which belonged to operator Filo Denizcilik, was 40.5m long and 10.4m wide and built in 2000.
Filo Denizcilik operates ferry services connecting Northern Cyprus and Turkey and goes between four different ports.
Everything we know about the fatal ferry accident in Cyprus today
14:56 , Harriette BoucherA boat carrying 267 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, killing at least seven people.
An urgent rescue operation is underway to find the 23 people who are missing, while the remaining 237 people have been rescued.
There were 259 passengers on the boat and eight crew.
The catamaran-style boat, operated by ferry company Filo Denizcilik, was travelling from the port of Kyrenia to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
It sank off the coast of Diana beach after facing adverse weather conditions.
Authorities said it started taking in water just 15 minutes after departure when it was around 7.5km from shore.
The coast guard and Turkish navy have deployed helicopters and several vessels to search for survivors.
Watch: Ferry carrying more than 260 people capsizes off northern Cyprus
14:47 , Harriette BoucherHelicopters and navy boats deployed in search for missing passengers
14:44 , Harriette BoucherSeveral helicopters and Turkish Navy ships have been deployed to help rescue the passengers at sea, the interior ministry said.
At least 16 vessels and two helicopters belonging to the coast guard and navy have been dispatched.
“Search and rescue efforts are being carried out meticulously and in coordination among the relevant units,” it said.
'Utmost priority' is to reach 23 missing people, says self-declared PM
14:36 , Harriette BoucherAn urgent search is underway to find the 23 missing people, the self-declared northern Cyprus prime minister said.
In a statement shared to social media, Unal Ustel said all resources had been mobilised following the “tragic” incident.
“Our utmost priority at this moment is to reach the 23 missing individuals as soon as possible,” he said.
“Out of the total 267 people on board the ship, 237 have been rescued by our teams. Unfortunately, 7 individuals have lost their lives.
“I offer my condolences from Allah for those who have passed away, and wish patience and strength to their families and loved ones. I pray for a swift recovery for the injured.
“All institutions of our state are on the ground. We are continuing the search and rescue efforts with the utmost care and closely following developments.”
Capsized ferry belonged to Filo Denizcilik ferry company
14:30 , Harriette BoucherThe boat that capsized in northern Cyprus on Sunday was operated by ferry company Filo Denizcilik, Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said.
Filo Denizcilik operates ferry services connecting Northern Cyprus and Turkey and goes between four different ports.
The ferry sank off the coast of Diana beach on Cyprus’ northern coast and 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.
At least seven dead after ferry capsizes
14:17 , Harriette BoucherAt least seven people have died and several remain missing after a ferry carrying more than 260 people capsized off of Cyprus today.
Northern Cyprus prime minister Unal Ustel confirmed the deaths to local media, saying around 237 people had also been rescued.
He said an urgent search was underway for another 24 people.
The ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, Mr Ustel added.
Deaths reported after ferry capsizes off coast of Cyprus
14:06 , Harriette BoucherOfficials have confirmed that passengers have died after a ferry capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus today.
In a statement shared by local media, Unal Ustel, the prime minister of Northern Cyprus, said: “We are deeply saddened. There has been loss of life and there are injuries.
“We are on the ground with all our resources.”
The Turkish ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Basceri, also said there were some casualties, but did not specify how many, speaking to Turkey’s state-run TRT news channel.
More than 172 people rescued as search continues
13:59 , Harriette BoucherMore than 172 people have been rescued from the boat that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.
Unal Ustel, the prime minister of Northern Cyprus confirmed the rescue to Turkish state-run TRT news channel.
The ferry was carrying more than 260 people and the search for others is still underway.
In pictures: Operation underway to rescue passengers on board capsized boat
13:55 , Harriette Boucher
Boat carrying more than 260 people capsizes off northern Cyrprus
13:48 , Harriette BoucherAn operation is underway after a boat carrying more than 260 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.
Local media reported that the vessel was traveling 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.
There are no reports of casualties so far.
