16:58

A passenger ship carrying 279 people has begun sinking off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Axar.az reports, citing Northern Cypriot media, that the incident occurred off the coast of Northern Cyprus.

“The captain of the ship, which was sailing approximately 2–2.5 kilometers off the coast of Kyrenia, noticed water entering the rear section and attempted to turn back, but the attempt was unsuccessful,” the report said.

Rescue operations are currently underway.

The cause of the sinking is unknown.

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159 people rescued from passenger ship sinking off Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus

This was reported by Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul.

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Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel said that there were fatalities in the accident and that rescue operations were continuing.

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Six people killed in shipwreck off Cyprus coast

This was reported by the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Unal Ustel.

According to him, 172 people have been evacuated.

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Unal Ustel said that 237 people have been rescued so far, while seven people have died.

The search for 23 people is continuing.