A boat carrying around 270 passengers sank off the coast of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation for people who remain missing or in distress.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul told Turkish broadcaster CNN Türk that rescuers had managed to reach 159 passengers aboard the vessel. He described the incident as extremely serious as emergency teams continued efforts to bring those on board to safety.
Local media reports said water began entering the vessel when it was about four miles off the coast. The situation reportedly deteriorated rapidly, eventually causing the boat to overturn and sink.
Television footage and photographs broadcast by local media showed several passengers wearing life jackets and standing on the overturned vessel. Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene to assist them.
Helicopters and several coast guard vessels were sent to the area after authorities received reports of the sinking. Ambulances were also positioned along the coast to provide immediate medical assistance to passengers brought ashore.
Northern Cyprus Transport Minister Erhan Arikli told local media that 100 passengers had so far been safely brought to shore. However, authorities had not immediately provided a detailed account of the remaining passengers or confirmed how many people were still missing.
Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said rescue teams had already reached a number of passengers, but the operation remained difficult and the situation was still considered critical.
The incident occurred in an area with a complex political status. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, commonly known as the TRNC, is not internationally recognized as an independent state. Turkey is the only country that recognizes the TRNC as a state.
The TRNC controls roughly one-third of the island of Cyprus, which has remained effectively divided since the events of 1974.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing for passengers who remain unaccounted for, while authorities are also working to evacuate those still in danger. Further details about the cause of the accident and the exact number of people aboard the vessel are expected to emerge as the rescue operation progresses.
Sources: CNN Türk, local media and Northern Cyprus authorities