A passenger ferry carrying 267 people sank after taking on water about 4 miles (6.44 kilometers) off the coast of Girne (Kyrenia) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday afternoon, prompting a large-scale rescue operation, according to TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı.
The catamaran-type passenger vessel had departed Girne for Mersin’s Taşucu when it began taking on water shortly after departure, Arıklı said in remarks to TRT Haber.
The vessel later capsized, while TRNC Coast Guard and Civil Defense teams were dispatched to the scene. Coast Guard boats, helicopters and civilian boats and vessels in the area are taking part in the rescue operation as passengers are evacuated and transferred to safer locations.
Arıklı said Coast Guard teams reached the scene approximately 15 to 20 minutes after receiving the report.
Another passenger vessel that had been waiting at Girne Port was also dispatched to the accident site and began taking passengers aboard. Other vessels in the area were mobilized to assist with the evacuation.
