Ferry capsizes off Northern Cyprus coast: 8 dead, 18 missing
Search operations off the coast of Northern Cyprus continue after a ferry capsized on Sunday, killing at least eight people and leaving 18 missing. Outrage is growing over how the incident was allowed to happen. The catamaran ferry, carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, began taking on water and capsized shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia on Sunday afternoon, sinking to the bottom of the Mediterranean. Although most of those on board were rescued, aviation and rescue services are searching for the missing at sea.
Survivors describe the chaos that unfolded on board and explain how quickly things went wrong. "Then the second wave hit us, and when the third hit, the boat started to sink. Everyone was directed to the stern. We weren't even told to open the front door and go up on deck. Lifebuoys were thrown out, but they weren't tied with ropes. Four lifebuoys were simply carried away by the current," said Mehmet Ulas, a ferry survivor.
Investigators are looking into safety violations that led to the tragic incident, and are scrutinising the vessel, the captain and the circumstances of its departure. Nine people have been arrested so far, and the investigation is continuing as investigators try to piece together what happened before the ship left port. On Monday, suspects were being led to police vehicles, but frustration is growing among those who have lost loved ones, with many expressing disappointment over what they say is a lack of transparency.
Local authorities say all affected families have been contacted, but many disgruntled relatives say they will continue to press for answers. "Unfortunately, they are making the immediate relatives come to them at the embassy. They say, 'Come here and we will explain everything to you.' They can't even make the effort to come out and meet these families face to face. Let's be honest. They are afraid of something. There are things they are not telling us," said a relative of a missing crew member. The wreckage is believed to lie at a depth of more than 500 metres, too deep for divers, and special equipment has been brought in to conduct searches at that depth.
As CCTV+ reports, the tragedy off Northern Cyprus has caused not only grief but also anger over alleged safety breaches. Search operations continue, but the chances of finding survivors are diminishing by the hour. Relatives are demanding transparency and accountability, while investigators try to determine why the vessel put to sea with potentially fatal flaws. This disaster once again raises questions about the enforcement of safety standards in maritime transport.
