The double-hulled ferry, carrying 267 passengers and crew, capsized shortly after departing the coastal town of Kyrenia on Sunday, August 30. Survivors were seen clinging to the upturned hull before being rescued by passing vessels and coastguard boats.
Ünal Üstel, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said the privately owned ferry had been scheduled to travel to Turkey on Saturday but was delayed due to poor weather. He told Turkish media outlet TRT that the boat was hit by two waves before capsizing — the captain was trying to recover from the first wave when a second wave struck and the vessel began taking on water.
Search and rescue operations continued overnight, with Turkish authorities joining the effort. Helicopters and coastguard boats were dispatched, and ambulances were stationed on the beach to receive rescued passengers. An estimated 237 people were rescued in total.
Üstel wrote on social media that the "priority right now is human life" and promised a thorough investigation, adding that "even the slightest negligence will be uncovered." He said the captain and seven crew have been detained as part of the probe into "how this tragedy occurred."
The Filo Denizcilik company, which operates the capsized ferry, said it is "deeply saddened" by the "tragic accident." In a statement quoted by the Guardian, the company said a crisis management team had been established and all resources mobilized in coordination with search and rescue teams. It added that a dedicated crisis and information hotline has been set up for passengers' relatives.
Erhan Arikli, transport minister of the TRNC — which is recognized only by Turkey — told local media that the investigation would examine all aspects of the incident. The nationalities of the victims have not yet been officially confirmed.