A heartbreaking maritime incident occurred off the coast of Northern Cyprus on Sunday when a ferry carrying 267 people capsized shortly after departing from the port of Kyrenia. Transport Minister Erhan Arikli confirmed that the disaster claimed at least six lives. The vessel, which was en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu, began taking on water for reasons that remain under investigation shortly after its 12:30 p.m. departure.

Emergency response teams, including the coastguard and private vessels, were immediately dispatched to the scene, where footage revealed survivors in life jackets clinging to the hull of the overturned boat. According to Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul, authorities have successfully reached 159 individuals, who are being transported back to the port for urgent medical evaluation. As the rescue operation continues, officials are working to determine why the catamaran—which reportedly started flooding just four miles offshore—encountered such a catastrophic failure.