Survivors arrive onshore after being rescued from the capsized boat off Kyrenia, northern Cyprus. Photograph: ReutersView image in fullscreenSurvivors arrive onshore after being rescued from the capsized boat off Kyrenia, northern Cyprus. Photograph: ReutersSix dead after ferry carrying nearly 270 capsizes off northern CyprusMany of the passengers and crew are reported to have been rescued, say local media
At least six people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, local media reported.
More than 172 people have been rescued, the region’s prime minister, Ünal Üstel, told the state-run TRT news channel on Sunday.
The catamaran-style ferry had been travelling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of divided Cyprus, to the port of Taşucu in Mersin province, Turkey.
Kyrenia’s mayor, Murat Şenkul, said the ferry belonged to the Filo Denizcilik company and had sunk off Diana beach. It started taking in water about 7.5km (4 nautical miles) off the coast, TRT reported.
Video footage from the scene shows people wearing life vests floating in the waters around the capsized vessel.
The Turkish ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Basceri, said there were some casualties but did not specify how many, speaking to TRT.
Many of the 259 passengers and eight crew members were rescued, Basceri said, adding that some were taken to hospital.
