Key takeaways:
- A ferry carrying about 260 to 270 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.
- Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul told CNN Turk that 159 people aboard had been reached and said, “The situation is very serious.”
- Northern Cyprus transport minister Erhan Arikli said 100 passengers had been taken to shore, according to the BBC.
A passenger ferry carrying about 260 to 270 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, prompting a search-and-rescue operation involving helicopters, coastguard boats and ambulances, according to local media reports cited by the BBC and Al Jazeera.
Murat Senkul, the mayor of the coastal town of Kyrenia, told CNN Turk that 159 people aboard the vessel had been reached.
“The situation is very serious,” he said.
The BBC reported that the boat had about 270 people on board and began taking on water about four miles off the shore. Al Jazeera, citing local media, reported that the catamaran-style vessel was carrying around 260 people and started sinking a few kilometres off the coast after leaving the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne.
Local television broadcast images of the ferry overturned in the water, with people wearing life vests standing or sitting on top of its hull, the BBC reported.
Erhan Arikli, transport minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, said 100 passengers had been taken to shore, according to the BBC. Helicopters and coastguard vessels were sent to the scene, while ambulances were positioned on the beach.
Al Jazeera reported there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which controls the northern third of the island, is recognised only by Turkey. Cyprus has been divided since 1974.
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