Rescue teams resumed their search on Monday for survivors after a ferry capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus, leaving eight people dead and 18 unaccounted for, according to local authorities. The vessel, which had departed from the port of Girne (also known as Kyrenia) around midday on Sunday, was bound for the Turkish mainland when it overturned shortly after leaving harbour.
The ferry was carrying 267 passengers and crew. Of those, 241 were rescued, eight were confirmed dead, and 18 remained missing as of Monday morning. Authorities have not yet released details about the nationalities of those involved.
Several survivors told local media that they heard a loud blast just before the ship listed and capsized. Police have detained the captain and more than a dozen other individuals for questioning. On Monday morning, the captain and eight others appeared before a judge and were formally placed under arrest, according to the Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK. Northern Cyprus has declared three days of national mourning.
Survivors describe chaos and lack of safety gear
Passengers reported that the ferry began taking on water approximately four nautical miles (about 7 kilometres) from the coast. Footage broadcast by Turkish television showed the capsized vessel with passengers in life jackets perched on its orange hull. The ship later sank completely and now rests at a depth of 514 metres, said Erhan Arikli, the transport minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). He added that recovering the vessel's voyage data recorder—often called the black box—would be crucial to understanding the cause of the tragedy.
Some survivors said they heard an explosion near the front of the boat, while others complained that there was insufficient safety equipment. “Some people had to jump without lifebuoys or life jackets,” Efe Multici, a young passenger, told CNN Türk. “It was literally a fight for survival.”
The incident has cast a spotlight on maritime safety standards in the region. The ferry was operating between northern Cyprus and Turkey, a route used by many Turkish Cypriots and tourists. Questions are being raised about the vessel's maintenance, the adequacy of life-saving appliances, and whether proper procedures were followed before departure.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the northern third of the island following a coup engineered by the Greek military junta. The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, established in 1983, is recognised only by Ankara, while the Republic of Cyprus in the south is a member of the European Union. The political division complicates any joint investigation or rescue coordination, though both sides have expressed condolences.
This tragedy comes amid renewed efforts to resolve the island's long-standing dispute. In recent weeks, Cypriot leaders have agreed to weekly talks following a push by the UN Secretary-General, raising hopes for a possible breakthrough. However, the ferry disaster underscores the practical challenges that persist in the north, which lacks the resources and international recognition of the south.
As the search continues, families of the missing are gathering at the port in Girne, waiting for news. The authorities have not ruled out the possibility that some of the missing may have been swept away by currents. Divers and helicopters have been deployed, but the deep waters where the ferry sank make recovery efforts difficult.
The investigation will also look into the captain's record and the vessel's compliance with safety regulations. The detention of the captain and others suggests that negligence may be a factor. “We need to know what happened and why,” said Arikli, promising a thorough inquiry.
For now, the focus remains on finding the missing and supporting the survivors, many of whom are traumatised by the ordeal. The incident has also reignited debates about the safety of ferry services in the eastern Mediterranean, where ageing vessels and lax oversight have been a concern for years.
