Death toll rises in Kyrenia ferry disaster

The death toll from the ferry accident off the coast of Kyrenia has reached 18, following the recovery of three additional bodies this week. The ferry, which was carrying 259 passengers and 8 crew members, capsized shortly after departing for the Turkish port of Tasucu on August 30. Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel confirmed that DNA analysis is underway to identify the latest victims, noting that two previously recovered bodies were identified as Nihat Pancar and five-year-old Mehmet Asaf Bicer.

Eleven people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue along the seabed near the wreckage. While the vessel’s captain and seven crew members, along with an operations director, were detained shortly after the incident, the families of the victims await further updates. Survivors, such as the parents of the late Mehmet Asaf Bicer, have described the chaotic conditions during the capsizing, reporting that the rapid nature of the event prevented them from saving their children. Authorities have pledged to continue the search until all unaccounted passengers are located.