A ferry with 267 passengers and crew overturned off the northern coast of Cyprus, resulting in at least eight fatalities and around 20 individuals still unaccounted for as search operations continued into Monday.
The ship was en route from Kyrenia in northern Cyprus to the Turkish port of Tasucu when it started to take on water shortly after departing on Sunday, as reported by Reuters.
Survivors were retrieved both from the water and the capsized vessel, thanks to the quick response from nearby ships and coast guard teams, according to the report.
Among the missing are siblings Miray Bicer, aged 12, and her 6-year-old brother, Mehmet Asaf Bicer, who were visiting the region with their family. Their mother, Ayten Bicer, recounted the heartbreaking moment when she tried to keep hold of her daughter as the ferry capsized.
“She was saying, ‘Don’t let go,'” Ayten shared. “And I didn’t let go of my daughter. I swear, I didn’t let her go.”
Unfortunately, Ayten was struck by a suitcase that fell during the turmoil, causing her to momentarily lose her grip on Miray. She managed to grasp her daughter’s foot, but the slippery conditions, due to oil from the ferry, made it impossible to maintain her hold.
On Monday, officials updated the number of missing persons from 18 to 20 after comparing passenger records with the list of those rescued.
The search is further complicated by the wreck’s location, which is over 1,600 feet underwater.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman mentioned that a Turkish ship equipped for underwater operations is expected to arrive on Tuesday.
As of now, it is still uncertain whether anyone is trapped within the sunken ferry.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the sinking. Nine people involved in the ferry’s operation have reportedly been detained, though authorities have stated that the ferry had a valid seaworthiness certificate.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the conditions when the incident occurred.
Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel indicated that the ferry began taking on water approximately 15 minutes after it left port due to poor weather conditions. However, Erhurman countered that the weather was “not bad” and warned against jumping to conclusions about what led to the sinking.
The officially recognized government of Cyprus has offered to assist with the search and rescue efforts.
