8 Dead, 18 Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus

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Kyrenia: At least eight people have died, and 18 others remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized and completely sank off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday afternoon.

The catamaran-style ferry, operated by Filo Denizcilik, was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members from the northern port of Kyrenia toward the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province. Prime Minister Unal Ustel of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus confirmed that the vessel encountered adverse weather and took on water after being struck by consecutive heavy waves approximately 7.5 kilometers off the coast of Diana Beach. 

The voyage had originally been scheduled for Saturday but was delayed due to severe weather conditions across the region.

Rescue teams from Northern Cyprus and Turkey, supported by naval ships, coast guard vessels, and helicopters have managed to rescue 241 people from the water. Local authorities have detained the ferry's captain and seven crew members for questioning as part of an official investigation into the cause of the disaster, while specialist teams prepare to retrieve the ship's recording device from a depth of over 500 meters.