Published: 21:25 BST, 30 August 2026 | Updated: 03:36 BST, 31 August 2026
Survivors of a ferry that sank off the coast of northern Cyprus have told how the captain ignored their warnings that the boat was taking on water and abandoned ship as it capsized, killing eight people.
Searches are continuing through the night for around 18 people who are still missing after the ship, carrying 270 passengers, capsized and sank.
Shortly after the doomed vessel departed from Kyrenia just before 12pm on Sunday, passengers realised that there was a problem.
They had discovered that the boat had begun to take on water and warned the captain and crew that they needed to return to port.
Unmoved by their concerns, the ferry continued on towards the Turkish port of Tasucu.
Fearing for their safety as the boat continued out to sea amid a storm, the terrified passengers scrambled to find lifejackets, only to realise that they were in short supply.
They heard a blast come from the ship's bow and the vessel began to capsize, leading to an exodus of passengers who frantically jumped into the sea to escape, many without any buoyancy aids.
Among the first to abandon ship, according to survivors, was the captain himself, who was arrested alongside seven of his crew members later on Sunday.
A rescue mission will continue into the night after a ferry carrying around 270 passengers capsized shortly after departing from the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday
Footage shows the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests on top of its orange hull
Some can be seen sitting on the outer hull of the upturned vessel in life jackets
Former President of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar meets with families waiting at the port entrance
Families gather at a hospital, as 18 people remain missing from the vessel
One rescued passenger said he spent an hour and a half in the water before being rescued.
