Nicosia: A passenger ferry carrying over 260 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, shortly after departing from port, as reported by the local government. The incident has resulted in at least eight fatalities, according to Turkish state media, which cited Unal Ustel, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

According to Deutsche Welle, the tragedy has left 23 individuals unaccounted for, while approximately 237 people were successfully rescued. The ferry's captain, along with seven crew members, has been taken into custody following the incident. The vessel was en route from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in southern Mersin province when it sank.

Erhan Arikli, the TRNC's transport minister, disclosed to Turkish and Cypriot media that the ferry had 267 people on board, comprising 259 passengers and eight crew members. The TRNC's Health Ministry assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure a prompt response from rescue and health services.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz expressed on X that the situation is being closely monitored and that comprehensive support is being extended to the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. The ferry reportedly began taking on water approximately 7.5 kilometers (4 nautical miles) from the coast, as reported by Turkey's state-run TRT news channel.