Eight dead and 18 missing is the tragic toll so far from the shipwreck that occurred early Sunday afternoon 4 nautical miles north of occupied Kyrenia. The occupying authorities rescued 241 people from the sea.

In remarks to reporters, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said that search and rescue operations will continue, while the investigation into those responsible for this shipwreck will also continue until it is concluded. He also said that the families of the missing and the deceased will be informed in the coming hours.

The so-called Council of Ministers, in an emergency session, decided to declare three days of “national mourning.”

In his remarks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, he emphasized the importance of determining whether negligence was involved, noting that “the Turkish Cypriot authorities will cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.” In his statement, Erdoğan said: “We will ensure that the necessary measures are taken in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot authorities so that those responsible for any negligence are held accountable.”  Erdogan also conveyed the message that Turkey will continue its close cooperation with the “TRNC” throughout the entire process.

It should be noted that a few hours after the shipwreck, the occupying authorities arrested the captain and seven crew members.

Search and rescue operations will continue throughout the night, as the Turkish Cypriot leader assured. Erhurman also stated that intensive work is underway at the crisis management center with the so-called Prime Minister, the “ministers,” the “Commander of the Corps,” the “Commander of the Security Forces,” and the “Head of the Civil Defense Organization.”

A total of 4 ships, 2 helicopters equipped with night-vision capabilities, UAVs, and aircraft are participating in search and rescue operations.

The T/commander also stated that efforts to identify four of the deceased are underway and that search and rescue operations will continue with all available forces to locatethe missing.

Tufan Erhurman announced that a police investigation has been launched to determine the causes of the tragedy on the ship and that eight people, including the captain, have been arrested. He also noted that the “General Directorate of Police” is conducting the investigation and that work is underway to collect evidence and evaluate all possibilities related to the incident.

Meanwhile, the so-called Prime Minister Ünal Ustel had stated earlier that the incident would be investigated from all angles, saying: “Even the slightest negligence will be uncovered. No one will escape accountability, regardless of who they are, who is at fault, or who is responsible.” It was announced that search and rescue operations will continue by air, sea, and underwater, and that a vessel capable of searching at depths of up to 1,000 meters will also participate.

READ ALSO: “Turn back!”: The screams and panic inside the doomed boat as it began taking on water | AlphaNews

A video broadcast by Turkish Cypriot media shows the moments of panic seconds before the ship sank, as it began taking on water and people shouted at the captain to turn back.

In earlier statements, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, had noted that the depth of the sea at the site of the wreck exceeds 541 meters, making rescue operations difficult, as reaching anyone who may be inside the ship does not appear to be easy under the current conditions. He did, however, state that search efforts are continuing using various technological means.

A Crisis Center has also been established to handle the incident, with the participation of the relevant government agencies, while the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and the treatment of the injured. Two children are in intensive care solely for monitoring purposes.

Meanwhile, tensions ran high outside the port of Kyrenia, where panicked relatives were demanding to know the fate of their loved ones.

Which Turkish-flagged ship sank?

The Turkish-flagged passenger vessel Filo Jet capsized and sank early in the afternoon off the coast of Kyrenia, 4 nautical miles from shore, putting the authorities of the pseudo-state. The ill-fated 40-meter-long vessel had set sail from the occupied port of Kyrenia at 11:58, bound for Tasucu, Turkey, with an estimated time of arrival at 17:52.

Marine Traffic reports that it departed from the port of Kyrenia in the occupied territories at 11:58 on Sunday and was scheduled to arrive in Tasucu, Turkey, at 17:52 local time.

For his part, the so-called “Prime Minister” Unal Ustel had stated that the ship was on the Kyrenia-Tasucu route and sent an SOS signal requesting assistance 15–20 minutes after departing from the port of Kyrenia.

So far, five Coast Guard vessels, two helicopters, and six Turkish Navy units have been dispatched to the area.

The shipwreck and the rescue efforts were captured from the air by an airplane passenger.

“No” to the Joint Rescue Coordination Center

Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot side refused assistance from the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC), which, through UNFICYP, had expressed its readiness to assist in the search efforts from the very beginning.

In its statement, the CSD specifically noted that at 12:13 p.m., it received a distress signal indicating that the passenger ship “FILIO JET,” flying the Turkish flag, was in distress while located 5 nautical miles north of Kyrenia.

“From the very beginning, the Joint Operations Center contacted, through the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the relevant Bi-communal Committee, requesting that the Turkish Cypriot side be informed that the Joint Rescue Coordination Center is ready to undertake the Search and Rescue operation using E, with the sole priority being the saving of human lives at sea,” he adds. The Turkish Cypriot side, however, noted that at present it does not require the assistance of the National Search and Rescue Coordination Center.

It should be recalled that the Republic of Cyprus had, from the very beginning, expressed its readiness to assist in the search and rescue operation. The Government Spokesperson, moreover, wrote in a post: “It is with deep sorrow and concern that we are following developments following the sinking of a vessel off the coast of Kyrenia. Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives, with the injured, with all those experiencing this tragedy, and with their families during these extremely difficult times. From the very beginning, the Republic of Cyprus has declared its full readiness to assist immediately in the search and rescue efforts, providing every necessary resource. At a time like this, the protection of human life takes precedence above all else.”

READ ALSO: Republic of Cyprus Ready to Assist Immediately in Search and Rescue Operation Off the Coast of Kyrenia | AlphaNews

As previously reported, the Republic of Cyprus, through the National Emergency Management Center (NEMC), had declared its readiness to provide immediate assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

The National Emergency Management Center contacted UNFICYP, requesting that it convey to the Turkish Cypriot side that the Republic of Cyprus is ready, if necessary, even to take over the operation using the available air and maritime search and rescue resources.

At the same time, the President of the Republic, through the Greek Cypriot negotiator, requested that contact be established with the Turkish Cypriot leader, precisely to make clear the Republic of Cyprus’s readiness to provide every possible assistance.

The same sources noted that Nicosia’s position in such cases is clear: “When human lives are at risk, we contribute with every available means.”

The Republic of Cyprus has the resources, the operational capability, and, above all, the readiness to provide immediate assistance, the report noted.

Meanwhile, news of the boat’s capsizing and sinking has begun to make headlines around the world, with major news networks such as the BBC, CNN, and Sky providing minute-by-minute updates on the rescue operation.

READ ALSO: What is the Turkish-flagged ship that sank off Kyrenia (PHOTO) | AlphaNews