Kyrenia [Cyprus], August 31: The captain and seven crew members of a ferry that capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus, killing at least eight people, have been detained, media outlets reported late on Sunday.
The arrests were announced by Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus, according to the state broadcaster BRT.
Üstel said those responsible would be held accountable. "Let me make this absolutely clear: Every aspect of this incident will be investigated.
Even the slightest negligence will come to light," he said.
The death toll has risen to eight, Turkish Cypriot Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı said, according to BRT. Searches were still under way for several people.
A total of 267 people were on board the ferry, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members. Most were rescued.
Authorities said the vessel capsized at midday shortly after leaving the port city of Kyrenia, known in Turkish as Girne. Water entered the vessel and a distress call was made.
The ferry was bound for the southern Turkish port city of Mersin in rough seas.
Eyewitness Efe Mültici told CNN Türk that he was on the vessel's lower deck and described chaotic scenes.
Passengers alerted the crew that water was entering the vessel and urged them to turn back. He added that the swell had been particularly strong.
He said the vessel suddenly listed to one side and people had jumped up in panic to search for life jackets. Some had tried to smash windows to get out.
"Our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives, with the injured and with all those who are having to endure this tragedy, as well as with their families during these extremely difficult hours," wrote the Cypriot government spokesman, Konstantinos Letybiotis, on the X platform in Greek and Turkish.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his condolences to the victims' families.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following a coup by Greek Cypriot nationalists and a subsequent Turkish military intervention.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed in 1983 but is recognized only by Ankara. The European Union admitted Cyprus as a whole in 2004.
Source: Qatar Tribune