Ferry carrying nearly 270 people capsizes off northern Cyprus, killing at least 7

Updated on: August 30, 2026 / 11:23 AM EDT / AP

At least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish media reported.

The prime minister of the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, Unal Ustel, said 237 people have been rescued. A search is underway for another 24 people, he told the Turkish state-run TRT news channel.

Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking on water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences and said his government was coordinating with Northern Cyprus in the search and rescue effort.

"We hope we'll be receiving positive news," Erdogan said on Sunday in Ankara while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Turkish Military Academy.

The catamaran-style ferry was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.

Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the ship belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank off the coast of Diana…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/