Seven die, many more missing after ferry capsizes off North Cyprus

The disaster occurred just off the coast of Kyrenia, a popular holiday resort for both ​locals and tourists. The ferry involved, a catamaran, was one of several shuttle sea services that ⁠link North Cyprus with Turkey daily.

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said 237 people had been rescued alive, while seven people ​had died and 23 people were still being sought. “We have reached 237 people alive. However, we have also recovered seven ​people who lost their lives.

We are deeply saddened by this,” Erhurman toldCNN Turkin a live broadcast. Video footage showed people in red life jackets sitting or standing on top of the overturned vessel as authorities scrambled coastguard and private vessels for assistance to bring them to ​shore.

"We have still not been able to reach 23 people. Search and rescue teams are working very intensively to find ​them," Erhurman said. Read More:FM Dar arrives in Istanbul for official engagements: MoFA"If there are people still inside the vessel, reaching them does not appear easy at the moment.

Efforts are being made ‌using ⁠other technologies to reach them as well. "Major rescue operation underway. Cyprus was battered by fierce storms on Saturday, with one person dying after his sailboat crashed onto rocks in rough seas in the island's south-east.

Asked about the cause of the capsize, Erhurman noted the storm on Saturday, but said the weather was considered suitable for travel. "There is a great sense of shock here. ​This is not something we ​have experienced before... we ⁠are extremely saddened.

Everyone is doing everything they can and making every effort," he said, speaking from the crisis centre set up in the area. Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel said ​a major rescue operation was underway.

"Our sole priority right now is human life. All institutions ​of our state, ⁠our security forces, our health teams and our search and rescue elements are on the ground in full coordination," he crisis management committee.

The Turkish Cypriot Interior Ministry said the passenger ferry 'FILOJET' was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew, ⁠and it ​began taking on water about four nautical miles off Kyrenia while sailing ​from Kyrenia to Tasucu in Turkey.

Four Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels and a civilian passenger boat were deployed to the scene, along with five Turkish coastguard ​vessels and two helicopters, the ministry statement said. Pakistan on solidarity with Turkiye. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condoled over the ferry accident.

" My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and with the missing persons and their loved ones," he wrote on X.Deeply saddened by the tragic ferry accident off Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and with the missing persons and their loved ones. We…— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaq.

Dar50)August 30, 2026