Seven dead and 23 missing is the tragic toll so far from the shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia, as announced by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.
The Turkish-flagged passenger vessel Filo Jet capsized and sank early this 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 5:52 p.m.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Footage broadcast by Turkish Cypriot media shows the moments of panic seconds before the ship sank, when it had begun taking on water and people were shouting at the captain to turn back.
According to official figures from the crisis management team, 237 people were rescued, while 7 people lost their lives. Search and rescue efforts are continuing intensively for the 23 people who are still missing.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also sent his condolences regarding the tragic incident.
In his remarks, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman noted that the depth of the sea at the site of the shipwreck exceeds 541 meters, making rescue operations difficult, as reaching anyone who may be inside the ship does not appear easy under current conditions. He stated, however, that search efforts are continuing using various technological means.
READ ALSO: The pseudo-state requested assistance from Turkey for the rescue operation off the coast of Kyrenia | AlphaNews
Meanwhile, the occupying authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the shipwreck, and more detailed information is expected to be released in the coming days.
A Crisis Center has also been established to address the incident, with the participation of the relevant state institutions, 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.
Addressing the families who have not received news from their loved ones, the Turkish Cypriot leader stated that those wishing to receive information can contact the “Ministry of Health.” Tufan Erhurman expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
For his part, the so-called “Prime Minister” Ounal Ustel said that 237 of the 267 passengers had been rescued, seven were recovered dead, and 23 remain missing. Ustel also told the illegal “Bayrak” that the ship was on the Kyrenia-Tasouzu and sent an SOS signal requesting assistance 15–20 minutes after departing from the port of Kyrenia. He also noted that, according to the confirmed information received so far, there were 259 passengers and 8 crew members—a total of 267 people—on board the ship; 237 have been rescued, seven are dead, and 23 remain missing.
He confirmed that the search is being conducted on the widest possible scale with Turkey’s support, both from the air and at sea, in an effort to locate these 23 people.
So far, 5 Coast Guard vessels, 2 helicopters, and 6 Navy units have been dispatched to the area from Turkey.
Earlier, the “crisis management office,” which was established for this operation, held a meeting chaired by Ustel, with the participation of the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Tufan Erhürman.
The shipwreck and the rescue efforts were captured from above by an airplane passenger.
According to a statement from Ustel’s office, it was decided that search and rescue operations would continue uninterrupted with the mobilization of all available resources, that the treatment of the injured would be closely monitored, and that all “state institutions” will continue to act in full coordination.
READ ALSO: There are fatalities in the shipwreck off Kyrenia, confirmed by the so-called Prime Minister—Dramatic hours at sea | AlphaNews
Let us recall that the Republic of Cyprus had expressed its readiness to assist in the search and rescue operation from the very beginning. The Government Spokesperson, moreover, wrote in a post: “It is with deep sorrow and anxiety 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.”
As previously reported, the Republic of Cyprus, through the National Emergency Management Center (KSED), had declared its readiness to assist immediately in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
READ ALSO: Republic of Cyprus Ready to Assist Immediately in the Search and Rescue Operation Off the Coast of Kyrenia | AlphaNews
The National Crisis Management Center (KSED) contacted UNFICYP, requesting that the Turkish Cypriot side be informed that the Republic of Cyprus is ready, if necessary, even to take charge of 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, as “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 notes.
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.
