A race against time is unfolding off northern Cyprus, where a specialist Turkish deep-water search team has begun work to locate the wreckage of a ferry that capsized on Sunday, leaving 20 people still unaccounted for.
At least eight people were killed when the twin-hulled vessel began taking on water and overturned shortly after departing the port of Kyrenia with 267 passengers and crew on board.
The operation is being led by a Turkish navy rescue ship equipped with a remotely operated vehicle designed for deep-sea searches in the area where the ferry went down — about four nautical miles from shore — only minutes into its journey to the town of Tasucu in Turkey’s Mersin province.
“Once the wreck is identified, salvage operations will begin at a significant depth of 500 metres, and detailed search and investigation activities will be carried out.. using a remotely operated vehicle,” said Major Ulas Cesur, commander of the TCG Isin.
Many of those who survived did so by clinging to part of the overturned hull until nearby boats reached them and brought them to safety.
Video shared on social media appeared to show some people still inside one of the ferry’s compartments, while others sat on the tip of the boat awaiting rescue.
Children are among those missing.
The boat capsized and sank off the coast of Kyrenia which is located in territory claimed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Authorities are still trying to determine what caused the disaster, although Turkish Cypriot officials said the vessel held a valid seaworthiness certificate.
Witness accounts describe a wide-bodied catamaran that began lurching violently before slamming into the water, with the force of the impact ripping open part of its bow.
As the investigation continues, nine people linked to the vessel’s operations were remanded in custody for three days yesterday to assist police inquiries.
