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Passenger Catamaran Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish rescue teams are searching for up to 300 people after the vessel overturned, leaving casualty numbers unconfirmed and the operation ongoing.

Overview

  • The catamaran began taking on water and capsized a few kilometers north of Kyrenia on Sunday, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue response.
  • Turkish Cypriot officials and local media say roughly 260 to 300 people were on board, but authorities have not confirmed any deaths or injuries.
  • Rescue craft from the Turkish Cypriot coastguard, other boats and a helicopter moved to the scene and video circulated showing the vessel on its side and people in life jackets in the water.
  • MarineTraffic tracking data showed the ferry north of Kyrenia before its position transmissions stopped and Northern Cyprus Transportation Minister Erhan Arikli reported rescuers were on site.
  • Search operations continue and officials are working to verify passenger manifests, recover survivors, and establish the cause of the capsizing while ports in Kyrenia receive vessels involved in the rescue.