A passenger ship with 279 people on board has capsized about three miles off Kyrenia, shortly after leaving the city's port in Northern Cyprus.
The catamaran "Express", owned by the Filo Jet company, sank. According to initial reports, there were 279 people on board, while authorities have launched an operation to rescue the passengers.
Several people are reported to have been injured, but there is no official information yet on their number or the extent of their injuries. Ambulances are on standby to receive the rescued people.
A major rescue operation is underway after a passenger ferry carrying 270 passengers and crew capsized shortly after leaving northern Cyprus.
The catamaran-style ferry was traveling from Kyrenia, also known as Girne, towards the Turkish port of Taşucu when it began taking on… pic.twitter.com/vaL9yvcNvJ
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Preliminary data also raises questions about the technical condition of the vessel. According to reports, the vessel was old and the fiberglass structure suffered severe damage, causing the catamaran to split in two. The causes of the incident and the full condition of the passengers are expected to be determined after the authorities investigate.
