Seven people have died after a passenger boat capsized near northern Cyprus
Search and rescue operations are under way to find 23 people missing, says Ünal Üstel, prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
The boat's captain and seven crew have been taken into custody, Üstel says
When the vessel capsized, there 267 people were on board, he says, and 237 have been rescued
The boat left from the northern Cypriot port of Kyrenia at 11:58 local time (09:58 BST) and officials say it capsized around four nautical miles into its journey to Turkey
Ferry travel is common in the area and the deadly capsizing will shock people so used to travelling by boat, the BBC's Katy Watson writes
The captain of the vessel that capsized and seven crew members have been taken into custody, according to the leader of the Turkish-occupied region.
In a lengthy statement on Facebook, written in Turkish, Ünal Üstel, prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, says "every aspect" of the incident will be investigated.
The latest images from the scene show the emergency response following the capsizing of the passenger vessel off the coast of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.
A Turkish military plane, military helicopters and other boats have been carrying out search and rescue efforts.
Northern Cyprus's self-declared prime minister said in a statement earlier multiple agencies were coordinating as part of the response, with 23 people still missing.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesThe self-declared prime minister of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus earlier said the boat capsized after being hit by two waves, according to comments reported in Turkish national media.
"The vessel was supposed to travel to Turkey yesterday but departed today due to weather conditions," TRT reported Ünal Üstel as saying.
"However, it was hit by a first wave at sea, and while the captain was trying to recover, the vessel began taking on water after a second wave hit."
Image source, Getty ImagesTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says efforts to reach survivors from the capsized vessel "continue uninterrupted".
The vessel was travelling from Kyrenia in northern Cyprus to Tasucu in Turkey.
The Turkish president offered his "condolences and best wishes for a speedy recovery to our nation and to the Turkish Cypriot people".
"Immediately after the accident, we launched extensive search-and-rescue operations in co-operation with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," Erdogan says while attending a military ceremony.
"As a result of these efforts, 237 passengers and crew members were rescued safely, while unfortunately, seven of our brothers and sisters lost their lives. God willing, we hope to receive positive news from these efforts," he says.
For context: The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is controlled by and only recognised by Turkey.
Katy Watson
BBC correspondent
Ferry travel is pretty common in this part of the Mediterranean - for commercial transport, leisure and daily life.
There are multiple routes and various forms - some high speed, like this ship appeared to be.
Other boats are slower, some car ferries, others purely passenger, so the fact that this has happened will shock people who are so used to using this mode of transport.
But it’ll also be disruptive in a region that relies on boat transport - in peak summer season too.
Investigations no doubt will be carried out to understand how this could have happened.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersThe below image from the Reuters new agency shows the catamaran-type Filo Jet vessel that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus earlier today.
The news agency says these pictures were taken on 3 September 2024 off Turkey.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Marine Traffic reports the passenger boat left the northern Cypriot port of Kyrenia at 11:58 local time (09:58 BST) on Sunday. It was due to arrive at Tasucu in Turkey at 17:52 local time (15:52 BST).
The company which operates the capsized passenger boat says it is "deeply saddened by the tragic accident".
Filo Denizcilik says after the vessel, named Filo Jet, capsized it mobilised resources to co-ordinate with search and rescue teams.
The company says a hotline has been set up to provide passengers' relatives with information.
Image source, Northern Cyprus authoritiesOfficials in northern Cyprus have met to discuss their response to the boat capsizing off the coast of Kyrenia.
Ünal Üstel, leader of the Turkish-occupied part of northen Cyprus, says "all necessary resources have been mobilised" to carry out rescue efforts.
In a post on Facebook, Üstel says he was briefed about ongoing search and rescue efforts, the status of those missing, the situation on the ground and the status of those meeting.
The "priority right now is human life", Ustal says, adding that security forces, search and rescue teams as well as health officials are all on the ground and in "full coordination".
He says the crisis management team will continue its work and official information will be shared with the public.
As we just reported, the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus says in a post on X that seven people have died.
Here's his statement in full:
"We are closely monitoring the process moment by moment through the Crisis Desk we established following the tragic shipwreck that occurred off the coast of Girne.
"Out of the total 267 people on board the ship, 237 have been rescued by our teams. Unfortunately, seven individuals have lost their lives. Our search and rescue operations to locate the 23 missing persons continue without interruption, with all our resources mobilised.
"I offer my condolences from Allah for those who have passed away, and wish patience and strength to their families and loved ones. I pray for a swift recovery for the injured.
"Our utmost priority at this moment is to reach the 23 missing individuals as soon as possible.
"All institutions of our state are on the ground. We are continuing the search and rescue efforts with the utmost care and closely following developments.
"We will continue to share confirmed information with the public."
We've now heard from Ünal Üstel - the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - on X.
He says seven individuals have died.
"Out of the total 267 people on board the ship, 237 have been rescued by our teams. Unfortunately, seven individuals have lost their lives. Our search and rescue operations to locate the 23 missing persons continue without interruption, with all our resources mobilised," he writes.
He says the priority is reaching the 23 missing.
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is controlled by and only recognised by Turkey.
Passengers stand on capsized Cyprus ferry ahead of rescue
Footage of the incident appears to show dozens of passengers sat on the top of the boat wearing life jackets.
Whistles can be heard in the background of the footage while several smaller vessels can be seen nearby.
Image source, AFP
Image source, AFPKaty Watson
BBC correspondent
In all there were 259 passengers on board along with eight crew members - and while many have been rescued, there’s still a considerable search and rescue operation under way.
The Turkish Interior Ministry says it’s sent both boats and helicopters to help find survivors and those who have been rescued are being taken to local hospitals.
Footage from the scene shows the boat on its side with passengers standing on top in life jackets.
Image source, ReutersGeorge Wright
BBC News
The Filo Jet vessel is a high-speed craft that sails under the flag of Turkey, according to Marine Traffic.
The vessel is 40 metres long and 10 metres wide.
Marine Traffic reports it left the northern Cypriot port of Kyrenia at 11:58 on Sunday. It was due to arrive at Tasucu in Turkey at 17:52 local time.
There have been casualties after the ship capsized seven kilometres (4 miles) off the coast of Kyrenia Harbour, Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus says.
In a statement at the scene he says: "We are deeply saddened. There has been loss of life and there are injuries.
"We are on the ground with all our resources."
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is controlled by and only recognised by Turkey.
Mayor of the coastal town of Kyrenia, Murat Senkul, says the situation is "very serious".
In a post on Facebook, he says 270 passengers and crew were aboard when the ship sank off the coast of northern Cyprus.
We've seen an update from Turkey's Interior Ministry which reports 267 people were on board.
Senkul says coastal security is taking part in numerous small boat rescue operations alongside Akgunlerin Express.
