An aerial view shows the flag of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) painted on the Kyrenia mountain range north of Nicosia — the divided Cypriot capital — and on territory controlled by the TRNC, on Jan. 22, 2022. (Photo: AFP)
A cruise ship that departed from the port of Kyrenia/Girne in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with nearly 270 people on board capsized Sunday off the coast, killing at least six people on board, according to an initial count.
According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu agency, citing Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel, six people died in the shipwreck that occurred in the morning, and 172 people were rescued.
"TRNC Prime Minister Ustel announced that 172 people were rescued from the capsized ship carrying 267 people, that six people lost their lives, and that search and rescue operations are ongoing," Anadolu reported.
Turkey's ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Başçeri, also confirmed the deaths, without specifying the number, to Turkish state broadcaster TRT, saying nevertheless that "the vast majority of the 259 passengers have been rescued."
According to TRNC Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Arıklı, the rescued passengers are "being brought back to the port of Girne to be hospitalized."
The causes of the shipwreck are not known.
Shocked passengers
Images broadcast by Turkish television channels show the boat tossed about and partially submerged in calm weather but choppy seas, as evacuation operations were underway and numerous pieces of debris could be seen floating on the surface.
The evacuated passengers, visibly shocked, were all wearing orange life jackets, according to these images, which also showed numerous emergency vehicles and helicopters stationed on land.
"All necessary preparations have been made to allow rapid intervention by emergency and health services," the local health ministry said in a statement.
"All measures have been taken, both at the port and in public and private hospitals, to be able to respond quickly to any eventual needs," the ministry insisted, saying it was "fully mobilized."
The TRNC, recognized only by Turkey, declared its independence from Cyprus in 1983, nine years after the Turkish army invaded the north of the island following a nationalist Greek Cypriot coup supported by Greece. It occupies about a third of the island.
Sometimes regarded as "Turkey's 82nd province" due to its dependence on its powerful patron for survival, the TRNC can also count on its support, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said on X: "We are closely following the unfortunate incident, and we are providing all necessary support for the search and rescue operations," he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit the island Monday for an official meeting with his counterpart Tufan Erhurman, a visit that has been long scheduled.
This will be his first visit since 2023 and, above all, since the election of the new president in October at the head of the TRNC.
Erhurman was hospitalized in July after a medical episode. Unlike his predecessor, who was aligned with Turkey's position advocating for two separate states in Cyprus, Erhurman campaigned in favor of a single, federal state.
Houla on verge of becoming disaster-stricken village' as Israel intensifies operations in southern Lebanon