At least eight people died and 18 were missing after a passenger ferry capsized off North Cyprus on Sunday, prompting a search and rescue operation involving vessels and helicopters from the Turkish Cypriot authorities and Turkey.

The privately owned ferry FILOJET was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, according to the Turkish Cypriot Interior Ministry. Authorities said 241 people were rescued, some after clinging to the overturned hull.

The vessel departed Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. local time, or 0930 GMT, bound for the Turkish port of Tasucu. It reportedly began taking on water shortly after leaving port, although the cause had not been determined.

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Operational context

Survivors described violent and erratic vessel movements before the capsize. One passenger, Efe Multici, told CNN Turk that the ferry repeatedly lifted out of the water and slammed back down. He said a final heavy impact damaged the front-left section of the twin-hulled vessel, allowing water to enter.

Video footage from the scene showed survivors wearing red life jackets while sitting or standing on the upturned hull. Four Turkish Cypriot coastguard vessels, five Turkish coastguard vessels, a civilian passenger ship and two helicopters were deployed to assist the response and bring survivors ashore.

The ferry later sank and came to rest on the seabed at a reported depth of 514 metres. Turkish divers were expected to support the continuing search for those still missing.

Turkish Cypriot authorities detained the vessel’s captain and seven crew members for questioning. No conclusion about responsibility or the cause of the casualty was reported.

Severe storms had affected Cyprus on Saturday, but Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said weather conditions on Sunday had been considered suitable for travel. He said search and rescue operations would continue until all those aboard had been accounted for.

The casualty occurred close to Kyrenia, a holiday destination and departure point for regular ferry services connecting North Cyprus with Turkey. Relatives gathered outside a local hospital and at the port gates while awaiting information.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences to the affected families and said efforts to locate the missing were continuing. Cyprus’s internationally recognised government also expressed condolences and offered assistance.