Passenger ship sank in the open waters off Kyrenia! Sad news keeps coming: there are casualties.

A Turkish-flagged catamaran‑style passenger ship, scheduled to sail from Girne to Mersin’s Taşucu Port at noon, entered the sea and, shortly after departure, was aborted for a reason not yet identified.

The accident occurred in the open waters of Girne, about 2 kilometers from the shore. After it was reported that the vessel was carrying a cargo, a large number of Turkish Coast Guard teams were dispatched to the area, and a comprehensive search and rescue operation was launched at sea.

01:00 Condolence Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a condolence message for those who lost their lives in the vessel that sank off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

In the explanationToday we express our deep sorrow over the loss of life in an accident involving a passenger vessel that was en route from Girne Port in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Mersin Tasucu after the vessel suffered an engine failure. We pray that Allah grants mercy to those who have lost their lives in the accident, and we extend our condolences to their families, to our nation, and to the people of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.the statements were used.

23:02 'Claims Will Be Investigated'

Northern Cyprus Minister of Housing and Transport Erhan Arıklı stated that the claims made by passengers about the incident in which a passenger ship capsized off Kyrenia, killing eight people, would be examined.

Arıklı, who said that the Ministry of Housing and Transport would launch a separate investigation from the Police General Directorate, explained that it would announce the results of the inquiry into the ship's documents, adequacy, port permits and security measures to the public.

The rescued passengers said that the ship began taking on water shortly after leaving the port and that, despite the crew's warnings to return to Kyrenia, their concerns were ignored.

21.10 Three-Day Mourning

A three‑day national mourning was declared in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) following the sinking of a passenger ship in the waters off Kyrenia.

20:56 Erdoğan met with the TRNC President.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with TRNC President Tufan Erhürman and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel about the tragedy.

Erdoğan expressed condolences over the passenger ship's sinking.

20:40 "We Have Not Reached 18 People Yet"

TRNC President Tufan Erhürman announced that the 18 people missing in the passenger ship that sank off Kyrenia had not yet been located.

18:48 7 Crew Members Arrested

Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Üstel reported that in the investigation into the passenger ship that went down in the waters off Kyrenia, the ship's captain and 7 crew members were taken into custody.

18:36 How Many People Lost Their Lives?

Northern Cyprus Minister of Housing and Transport Erhan Arıklı said that the death toll in the incident that occurred in the waters off Kyrenia had risen to 8 and that 17 people were missing.

However, this statement was retracted minutes later. It was reported that the death count was 7 and the missing count 23.

Recording that search and rescue operations were proceeding vigorously, Minister Arıklı said that the sunken ship had settled on the seabed at a depth of 514 meters. He added that from Turkey, divers would reach the area within a few hours aboard a fully equipped vessel capable of operating at that depth.

17:40 Erdoğan: May It Be a Lesson for Our Nation

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, 'We are cooperating with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus regarding the incident. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.'

16:14 Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: Cause of the Accident Still Uncertain

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said there is no definitive information yet about the cause of the accident. Üstel said, 'Technical teams are investigating why the ship suddenly started taking on water and became a sinking vessel. We have launched an investigation into this matter. Why the ship began taking on water after 15-20 minutes of leaving the port—what is the real reason? Once the black box on the ship is recovered and opened, we will have clear information.'

15:52 Prime Minister Ünal Üstel: 7 People Lost Their Lives

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus announced that 237 people were rescued from the sinking vessel, 7 people lost their lives, and search and rescue operations are ongoing for 23 individuals.

15:12 Statement from the Ministry of Interior

In the statement from the Ministry of Interior, it was reported that within the search and rescue operations, four surface units under the Cyprus Turkish Republic Coast Guard Command were assigned to the passenger ship AKGÜNLER 3 in the area. The statement said "By our Coast Guard Command, five surface units and two Coast Guard helicopters have been dispatched to the area. Additionally, six naval units have been assigned by the Naval Forces Command to support the operations underway in the area."was reported.

14:50 Cyprus Turkish Republic Prime Minister Üstel: There Are Those Who Lost Their Lives

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel of the Republic of North Cyprus (KKTC) announced that there were people who lost their lives on the ship, and that all resources have been mobilized for rescue. Üstel,\"Coast Guard, among others, our people also rushed to the scene. The boat rushed to help. Our medical teams are ready, we have made all preparations.\" said. Prime Minister Üstel of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, emphasizing that he has been closely following the incident, noted: \"There were 259 passengers and 8 crew members. The ship was scheduled to go to Turkey yesterday, but due to weather conditions it departed today. However, the first wave struck at sea, and while the captain was trying to rescue, the ship began taking on water in the second wave.\"

14:30 Statement from Vice President Yılmaz

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said that the search and rescue operations initiated by the institutions related to the Coast Guard units of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Turkey are continuing without interruption. Yılmaz\"At this point, our primary priority is the rescue of passengers and crew. We are closely following the tragic incident and providing all possible support to the search and rescue operations. I convey my best wishes for recovery to the passengers, crew, and our nation aboard the ship.\"said.

AK Party Deputy Chairman and Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also , We wish that all passengers on the ferry that went down in the waters off Kyrenia are rescued without anyone being harmed. All resources have been mobilized. Rescue operations are continuing at full strength. Our prayers are with them.said.

14:26 Some passengers jumped into the sea

Eyewitnesses said that after the ship took on water, some passengers jumped into the sea. The rescued passengers were brought to Kyrenia Port to be transferred to hospitals.

13:54 Statement from the TRNC Health Ministry

The TRNC Health Ministry announced that all necessary measures have been taken both at the port and in hospitals to intervene with passengers on the ferry that went down in the waters off Kyrenia. In the statement from the ministry, it was noted that preparations had been completed so that the first response and medical services could be carried out as quickly and effectively as possible immediately after the accident. The statement said that a maximum level of manpower had been mobilized to respond rapidly to any potential needs, and that medical teams to work at the port and hospitals were kept on standby.

13:50 Large-Scale Rescue Operation Commenced

After the accident, a large-scale rescue operation was launched in the area. A helicopter, four coast guard boats, and numerous private vessels participated in the efforts. Many passengers wearing life jackets were evacuated onto the coast guard boats and private vessels. While there is still no clear information on the number of casualties, injuries, or the exact cause of the incident, the rescue report was described as promising. It was noted that after a severe storm that had struck the area the day before, the sea conditions known as a 'dead wave' dominated the waters.

12:35 Catamaran-Style Passenger Ship Capsized

Around 12:30, a passenger ship that had departed from Kyrenia Port in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) capsized 2 kilometres off the harbor. Officials said that three coast guard boats and three civilian vessels were dispatched to the scene. Ambulances and police units were also sent to the area. TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Arıklı said the ship carried 267 people, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members.