SEVEN DEAD AFTER FERRY CAPSIZES

NICOSIA, AUGUST 30 /SRNA-Reuters/ – At least seven people have died and 23 remain missing after a ferry carrying around 270 passengers and crew capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus.

The privately owned ferry left the port of Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. and began taking on water shortly after departure for an unknown reason, authorities said.

It was sailing towards the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province, in the eastern Mediterranean.

The disaster occurred off Kyrenia, a popular tourist destination for both locals and visitors. The catamaran is one of the ferries that operate daily between northern Cyprus and Turkiye.

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said 237 people had been rescued, while seven had died and 23 remained missing.

Video footage showed people wearing red life jackets sitting or standing on top of the overturned vessel as authorities called on coast guard units and private boats to assist in bringing survivors ashore.

A major search-and-rescue operation is under way following the accident.