Passengers on ferry that sank off Cyprus ‘told crew it was taking on water but were ignored before it capsized when windows blew out’: Survivors of disaster that killed at least eight describe panic as pensioners became trapped as it went down
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A ferry carrying around 270 passengers capsized and sank off the coast of northern Cyprus after leaving Kyrenia for the Turkish port of Tasucu, killing at least eight people and leaving around 18 missing. Survivors said they had warned the captain and crew that the vessel was taking on water, but the ferry continued into a storm regardless. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion at the bow and seeing windows blow out as the boat filled with water before rolling over, and said the captain was among the first to abandon ship "without organising anything" rather than helping passengers evacuate. He and seven crew members were subsequently arrested.
Passengers described a chaotic scramble for life jackets, which were in short supply, forcing many to jump into the sea without buoyancy aids, while some elderly passengers were reportedly trapped inside as the vessel went down. The ship eventually sank to a depth of about 514 metres (1,686ft). Turkish-Cypriot coastguard vessels, rescue helicopters and Turkish divers were deployed in a search that continued through the night, with authorities noting that reaching anyone still trapped inside the wreck would be difficult. Many of those aboard are believed to be Turkish nationals, and families gathered anxiously at Kyrenia Hospital awaiting news of loved ones.
- Cyprus ferry capsized after captain ignored water-leak warnings, killing at least eight
- Captain and seven crew arrested; captain accused of fleeing ship first
- Around 18 people still missing as search continues; ferry sank to 514m depth
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Passengers on the ferry say they warned the crew that the boat was letting in water well before it went down, but that nothing was done. The vessel, a passenger ferry, was making the crossing from Kyrenia in northern Cyprus to the Turkish port of Tasucu when it ran into a storm and began to sink, eventually rolling over and going under. Around 270 people were reportedly on board at the time.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into an internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-controlled north, which is not recognised by most of the world but is closely tied to, and reliant on, Turkey. Ferry crossings between Kyrenia and southern Turkish ports are a common travel route in the area, and many of those on board are thought to have been Turkish nationals.
The sinking has left at least eight people dead and around eighteen still missing, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation involving coastguard vessels, helicopters and divers. The captain and several crew members have been arrested, and questions have emerged over whether warnings from passengers were ignored and whether enough life jackets and safety measures were available, issues that are likely to shape scrutiny of the disaster in the days ahead.
More coverage
- Daily Mail — Moment trapped passengers scramble to escape from deep inside sinking Cyprus ferry 'after it hit freak waves' in disaster that left eight dead – as captain 'who fled boat' is held
- BBC World — Search continues for 18 passengers after ferry capsized in northern Cyprus