Overview
- The two-deck catamaran left Kyrenia and shortly after departing on Sunday began taking on water, capsized and later sank with about 267 people on board.
- Rescue vessels, helicopters and civilian boats from North Cyprus and Turkey pulled roughly 237 people to safety while authorities confirmed at least eight deaths and say about 18 people remain missing.
- Survivors reported blocked exits and shortages of life-saving equipment, and North Cypriot authorities detained the captain and seven crew members and opened criminal probes.
- Officials and local media identified the vessel as a Filo Denizcilik catamaran and reported that the wreck rests at more than 500 meters depth, which makes recovery of the ship and its voyage recorder technically difficult.
- A severe storm that hit the island hours earlier left seas very rough and will be examined alongside maintenance records and recovered data as investigators seek to explain the rapid flooding.