The ferry encountered trouble while traveling from Kyrenia port in Northern Cyprus to Tasucu port in Mersin province, Turkey. According to Turkish state television TRT, the ferry began taking on water just a few kilometers from shore.

"About 100 passengers have been evacuated and brought to shore", stated Erhan Arikli, head of the transport authority for the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, on local television.

According to Arikli, coast guard vessels, helicopters, and civilian boats in the area are participating in the rescue operation. "The sea is quite rough. Our top priority is to bring passengers safely to shore and prevent any loss of life", he added.

Many companies operate the busy ferry route between Kyrenia and Tasucu. It is currently unclear which company manages the capsized ferry.

Video footage from the scene shows the ferry overturned in rough seas, with rescue teams picking up people wearing life jackets from the water and approaching others still on the ferry.

The island of Cyprus is located in the eastern Mediterranean and has been divided into two separate political entities since 1974 due to tensions and conflict between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Location of Kyrenia port. Graphic: CNN

The southern part belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, primarily inhabited by Greek Cypriots, who are predominantly Christian. This is the only government on the island recognized by the United Nations and the international community, and has been an official member of the European Union (EU) since 2004, using the EUR currency.

The northern part is controlled by Turkish Cypriots. Although it self-declared the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983 with its own full governmental apparatus, this region is only recognized by Turkey and is completely influenced by that country economically, militarily, and monetarily.

Developing story

By Vu Hoang (Reuters, AFP)