Rescue underway after Turkish ferry carrying hundreds of people capsizes off Cyprus

Rescue Underway After Turkish Ferry Capsizes Off Cyprus

Goldlaner.com – Rescue underway after Turkish ferry capsizes off the coast of Cyprus has drawn a massive multi-agency response into the eastern Mediterranean. A passenger vessel that departed Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus bound for the Turkish port of Taşucu began taking on water on Sunday morning and ultimately overturned, leaving nearly 300 passengers and crew in the sea. Turkish Cypriot media reported the approximate head count, while officials confirmed that evacuation operations were still in progress as of the latest updates.

Erhan Arikli, the public works minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, addressed Turkish state television to confirm that the ship had departed Kyrenia and was en route to Taşucu when it started flooding. “Unfortunately, the ship is now upside down. Work continues for the evacuation of approximately 260 passengers,” Arikli stated. He added that coast guard vessels, helicopters, and civilian boats operating in the vicinity were all deployed to the scene.

What Is Happening at the Scene

Footage captured near the incident showed at least one helicopter hovering directly above the capsized hull while the sea remained rough. Arikli emphasized that the overriding priority was to bring every passenger to shore without loss of life. MarineTraffic tracking data placed the vessel north of Kyrenia on Sunday morning before its position signals ceased entirely, confirming that the ship had lost operational capability.

A second ferry reportedly altered course to reach the accident area and assist with pulling survivors from the water. That vessel was last tracked just before entering Kyrenia port. A live broadcast from the harbor showed passengers arriving on deck while ambulance sirens echoed through the terminal. Several ambulances were visible lined up along the quay, ready to transport the injured.

Purported video of the overturned ship showed it resting on its side amid choppy seas. Individuals wearing life jackets were being lifted aboard rescue craft, while others remained in the water awaiting pickup. Authorities have not yet released a confirmed casualty figure, and the situation remains fluid as operations continue.

“Our priority is to bring our passengers to land without loss of life.” — Erhan Arikli, Public Works Minister, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Because the rescue is still active, officials have asked the public to monitor official channels for verified updates rather than relying on unconfirmed social-media clips. The incident is being treated as a developing story, and further details on passenger counts, injuries, and the cause of the flooding are expected as the operation winds down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the capsizing occur? The vessel was last tracked north of Kyrenia, Cyprus, before its signals stopped. The ship had departed Kyrenia and was heading south toward Taşucu, Turkey, when it began taking on water.

How many people were aboard? Turkish Cypriot media reported nearly 300 people on board. Minister Arikli referenced approximately 260 passengers still requiring evacuation at the time of his televised statement.

What agencies are conducting the rescue? Coast guard boats, military and civilian helicopters, and nearby civilian vessels are all participating. A second ferry also diverted to the scene to assist with survivor retrieval.

Is the situation resolved? No. As of the latest reporting, evacuation work was ongoing and the sea conditions remained rough. Authorities have not issued a final head count or confirmed the cause of the flooding.

Where can I follow verified updates? Monitor official Turkish Cypriot government channels and major wire services for confirmed information. Unverified video circulating on social media should be treated with caution until corroborated by on-scene reporting.