Turkish authorities have arrested the captain of the ferry and seven crew members after the vessel sank close to the shore. The incident occurred approximately 7.5 kilometres from the coast, during the crossing from the Turkish port of Kyrenia to the Turkish town of Taşucu. At the time of the incident, the ferry was carrying around 270 passengers.
The Turkish Cypriot prime minister, Ünal Üstel, confirmed that 237 people had been rescued. Although the majority of passengers were successfully evacuated, 22 people remain unaccounted for in the sea. According to initial reports, 18 people were missing, but official data indicates that 22 people are currently being searched for, indicating the complexity of the rescue operation and the uncertainty regarding the exact number of people remaining on board.
According to witness accounts, a sudden explosion was heard just before the ferry began to take on water. Witnesses stated that the explosion primarily affected the front of the ship, the bow. Additionally, witnesses indicated that damage occurred to the side windows of the ship, which further complicated the situation and accelerated the sinking.
One of the most serious aspects concerns the behaviour of the captain in the critical moments. According to witness accounts, the captain left the ship among the first, which caused additional panic and hindered the evacuation of the remaining passengers. This development will likely lead to stricter investigations into the responsibility of the commander and the safety protocols during the evacuation.
