At least eight people died and 17 remained missing after a passenger ferry capsized and sank off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, as authorities detained the captain and seven crew members for questioning.
The catamaran-style ferry, Filo Jet, was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members from Kyrenia (Girne) to Tasucu in southern Turkey when it began taking on water shortly after departure around 12:30 p.m., Turkish Cypriot authorities said.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel told state broadcaster TRT that 237 people had been rescued, while search efforts continued for those still unaccounted for.
The vessel sank in waters about 514 meters (1,686 feet) deep, complicating rescue operations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had mobilized all available state resources for the search-and-rescue mission. A fully equipped Turkish vessel and divers were expected to arrive within hours to conduct deep-water searches.
Survivors described scenes of panic as the ferry began to list.
Several told local media they heard an explosion-like sound at the bow before the vessel rolled over.
Some passengers said they were not instructed to put on life vests and had to find them on their own.
Mr. Ustel said adverse weather conditions contributed to the disaster, noting that port authorities had initially denied permission to depart due to rough seas.
The ferry left about an hour later than scheduled.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said the sinking was among the worst maritime disasters in the region’s history. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said the government was closely monitoring the operation.
The ferry, owned by Turkish company Filo Denizcilik, capsized about 4 nautical miles off the Kyrenia coast. More than 200 survivors were taken to Kyrenia Port, where ambulances and a field medical tent were set up to treat the injured.
An investigation into the cause of the water ingress and the circumstances of the sinking was underway.