At least eight dead and 18 missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus

Authorities say 237 people rescued and search under way for those who remain unaccounted for At least eight people have died and 18 people are missing after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, local authorities said. The territory’s prime minister, Ünal Üstel, told the state-run TRT news channel on Sunday that 237 people had been rescued. A search was under way for those who remained unaccounted for. “Search and rescue teams are working very intensively to find them,” said the Turkish ​Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman. “If there are people still inside the vessel, reaching them does not appear easy ‌at the moment. Efforts are being made using other technologies to reach them as well.” The ferry had “completely sunk to a depth of 514 metres”, said Erhan Arıklı, the territory’s transport minister. The catamaran-style ferry had been travelling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of divided Cyprus, to the port of Taşucu in Mersin province, Turkey. The port area of Kyrenia is a popular holiday destination for local people ⁠and tourists. The private ferry was one of several daily shutt