At least seven people have died and 24 remain missing after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, according to Turkish media and officials.
Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said 237 people had been rescued and a search was continuing for those still unaccounted for.
The catamaran-style ferry, operated by Filo Denizcilik, was travelling from Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.
Üstel said the vessel encountered adverse weather and began taking on water about 15 minutes after leaving port. A distress call was issued shortly afterwards.
The ferry sank about 7.5 kilometres, or four nautical miles, off the coast near Diana Beach, according to Turkish state broadcaster TRT.
Video from the scene showed passengers wearing life jackets in the water around the overturned vessel as rescue teams worked to bring them ashore.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the situation was serious and confirmed that the ferry belonged to Filo Denizcilik.
Rescue operation continues
Coast guard vessels, helicopters and other boats have been deployed in the search for the missing passengers. Those rescued were taken to Kyrenia port, where they were transferred for medical assessment and treatment.
Authorities have not yet established what caused the ferry to capsize. Officials have pointed to adverse weather conditions, but the circumstances surrounding the vessel taking on water remain under investigation.
The incident occurred on a regular maritime route linking Kyrenia with Tasucu, a Turkish port in Mersin province.
The number of people aboard has been reported at close to 270, with one report putting the total at 267, including 259 passengers and eight crew members.
The death toll and number of missing could change as rescue teams continue searching the waters around the wreck.
The ferry disaster comes amid a wider history of political division on Cyprus. The island has been divided since 1974, with the northern part administered by the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus controlling the south.
Turkey is the only country that recognises the northern administration as a state.
