Ferry capsizes off coast of Cyprus, at least seven dead, 23 still missing
Video from the scene showed the vessel capsized on its side in choppy seas, with people in red life jackets standing atop the hull or in the water as rescuers worked to pull them to safety
A passenger ferry carrying nearly 270 people off the northern coast of Cyprus to Turkey capsized in the Mediterranean on Sunday, killing at least seven people. Turkish Cypriot officials said 237 people had been rescued, with search efforts continuing for 23 others.
The ferry Filo Jet, carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, began taking on water shortly after departing the port of Kyrenia at 12:30 pm local time, bound for Taşucu in southern Turkey, according to Turkey's Interior Ministry. At least seven people died in the capsizing.
Ünal Üstel, prime minister of Turkish-occupied Cyprus, told Turkish media that 237 people had been rescued and search efforts were continuing for 23 others, none of whom were reported in critical condition. Üstel said the ferry capsized due to difficult weather conditions.
Video from the scene showed the vessel capsized on its side in choppy seas, with people in red life jackets standing atop the hull or in the water as rescuers worked to pull them to safety. Four coastguard vessels and a passenger vessel from Turkish-occupied Cyprus took part in the rescue, along with two coastguard helicopters, the Interior Ministry said.
Those rescued were taken to Kyrenia port for transfer to hospitals.
Numan Kurtulmuş, speaker of the Turkish parliament, offered condolences on social media to those who lost their lives in what he called "this exceedingly tragic incident." The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, controls the northern third of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974.