A passenger vessel carrying approximately 270 people has capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, triggering an urgent search and rescue operation.
Murat Senkul, the mayor of the coastal town of Kyrenia, told CNN Turk that 159 of those on board have been reached, describing the situation as “very serious.”
The vessel reportedly began taking on water about four miles off the shore. Dramatic images broadcast on local television show the overturned ferry in the water, with people in life vests gathered on its hull.
Helicopters and coastguard vessels have been dispatched to the scene, and ambulances are stationed on the beach awaiting survivors.
Erhan Arikli, the transport minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), told local media that 100 passengers had been brought to shore.
The TRNC, which is officially recognised only by Turkey, controls the northern third of the island of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974.
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