▲ The site of the passenger ferry sinking off the coast of Northern Cyprus on the 30th local time
A passenger ferry carrying about 270 passengers and crew ran aground off the coast of Northern Cyprus around noon on the 30th local time, resulting in multiple casualties.
According to the Northern Cyprus Ministry of Interior and other sources, while the passenger ferry Philojet was sailing from Kyrenia toward the port of Taşucu in Mersin, Türkiye, flooding was detected about 4 miles, or approximately 6.4 kilometers, off the coast of Kyrenia.
Media outlets such as the daily Kıbrıs Postası reported that the crew attempted to turn back but failed, and the vessel eventually sank.
Videos posted on social media showed passengers wearing life jackets, transferring to lifeboats, and looking back at the wreckage of the ferry.
CNN Türk reported that Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stated that out of a total of 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members, 172 have been rescued while 6 have died.
Authorities have mobilized boats, helicopters, and ambulances to search for those who remain unaccounted for.
Cyprus, which gained independence from Britain in 1960, was divided in 1974 when Turkish forces occupied the northern part in response to a Greek-backed coup.
Currently, the southern part is divided into the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus, and the northern part into the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
(Photo: Capture from X, Yonhap News)
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