Kyrenia: At least six people have died and 89 are missing after a boat with more than 260 people on board capsized off North Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish media reported.
Turkish Cypriot prime minister Unal Ustel said that at least six people died after the ferry capsized, CNN Turk reported on Sunday, adding that 172 others had been rescued and 89 people remained missing.
The catamaran-style vessel had left the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, and started sinking a few kilometres off the coast, as reported by Al Jazeera.
A total of 267 people, including the crew, had been on board the vessel when it capsized, Ustel said.
Turkish Cypriot transport minister Erhan Arikli told Turkish news agency Anadolu that a rescue operation was under way to bring any injured people to Girne Port and then transfer them to local hospitals.
The cause of the incident would be investigated, he said.
Turkish television broadcast images showing the overturned ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests atop its orange hull. The weather was sunny and several boats were seen in the area to lend assistance.
“All necessary preparations are being made for a swift response from rescue and health services,” the Turkish Cypriot health ministry said in a statement.
Hospitals in the territory had been alerted, so they could provide any medical attention that might be needed, it added.
