Casualties reported after vessel incident off Northern Cyprus VIDEO / UPDATED

There have been fatalities following an incident involving a catamaran off the coast of Northern Cyprus, although the number of casualties remains unknown, Turkish Ambassador to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ali Murat Başçeri said.

“Unfortunately, there have been casualties as a result of the maritime incident. Their number is not yet known,” he said in an interview with TRT Haber.

15:28

Rescue teams are evacuating passengers from a capsized ferry off the coast of Northern Cyprus, with those rescued being brought to Kyrenia Port for medical assessment and possible transfer to hospitals, NTV reports.

TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı said Coast Guard boats, a helicopter, civilian vessels in the area and a passenger ferry operated by another company were involved in the evacuation operation. Coast Guard teams reached the scene approximately 15 to 20 minutes after receiving the distress call.

Passengers are being transferred to other vessels in the area as rescue efforts continue under rough sea conditions.

Ambulances have been placed on standby at Kyrenia Port, while Civil Defense teams have set up a medical treatment tent to provide initial medical assistance to those brought ashore. Passengers in serious condition will be transferred to hospitals immediately.

The minister underscored that authorities’ main priority was to complete the evacuation without loss of life.

The incident occurred at around 12:00 local time. The FiloJet catamaran was traveling from Kyrenia Port to the Turkish town of Taşucu in the Mediterranean province of Mersin. For reasons that remain unclear, the vessel began taking on water and capsized about four miles off the coast of Northern Cyprus.

15:20

A passenger vessel carrying 260 people is sinking off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı told TRT Haber.

The vessel began sinking approximately four miles (around 6.44 kilometers) from the shore.

Search-and-rescue teams are currently conducting operations at the scene.

No further information is currently available regarding the cause of the incident or the condition of the passengers.

By Jeyhun Aghazada