Ferry capsizes off Northern Cyprus, killing seven, 23 missing

A passenger catamaran carrying 267 people capsized off the coast of Girne in Northern Cyprus, with seven people now confirmed dead, 237 rescued and 23 still missing, according to updated figures from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel. Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar reports the privately operated ferry left Girne around 12:30 pm local time bound for Tasucu port in Turkey's Mersin province, a busy daily route popular with tourists between Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Eyewitnesses say the ferry began taking on water for reasons still unknown roughly five miles out, prompting the captain to turn back toward Girne. The vessel went down about 2.5 kilometres from port after the captain issued a distress call. A large search-and-rescue operation followed, involving Coast Guard vessels and helicopters, the passenger ship Akgunler, and six naval units from the Turkish Naval Forces Command, all working to locate the remaining missing passengers. Subscribe to our channel: bit.ly
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