A rescue operation is underway within the Mediterranean after a passenger boat carrying almost 270 folks heading from Northern Cyprus to Turkey capsized, killing at least seven folks.
The Prime Minister of the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus, Ünal Üstel, informed Turkish media that 237 folks had been rescued from the ship, and search efforts have been persevering with for 23 folks.
Üstel mentioned the ship capsized “due to the difficult weather conditions.” None of these rescued was in a essential situation.
The Filo Jet was carrying 259 passengers and 8 crew members from Kyrenia to Taşucu in southern Turkey when it started taking up water only a few miles from the Cyprus coast, in line with the Turkish Interior Ministry.
Video from the scene of the ship’s capsizing confirmed dozens of individuals on the aspect of the vessel and others in life-jackets within the water.
The speaker of the Turkish parliament Numan Kurtulmuş, mentioned in publish on X that he prolonged his condolences to those that had misplaced their lives in “this exceedingly tragic incident.”
Four coastguard vessels from northern Cyprus and a passenger vessel took half in rescue operations, the Interior Ministry mentioned, in addition to two coastguard helicopters to the world.
Video from the scene confirmed at least one helicopter hovering above the capsized vessel.
The vessel was seen north of Kyrenia on Sunday morning, in line with MarineTraffic monitoring knowledge, earlier than transmissions of its place ceased.
A dwell stream from Kyrenia confirmed individuals who had reached the port by helicopter and on rescue boats – amid the sound of ambulance sirens. Several ambulances have been proven lined up on the harbor.
Video of the capsized ship exhibits it on its aspect in uneven seas, with folks carrying life jackets being picked up by rescuers and others in life jackets within the water.
This is a growing story and will likely be up to date.