Search continues for 18 passengers after ferry capsized in northern Cyprus

Rescuers are continuing their search for 18 passengers of a ferry which capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.

Key points

• The privately owned ferry left the popular holiday resort of Kyrenia at regarding 12: 30 (09: 30 GMT), en route to the town of Tasucu in Turkey.
• The ferry – a high-speed 40m long, 10m wide Filo Jet vessel – sails under the flag of Turkey, according to Marine Traffic.
• Among the missing are Ayten Bicer's two children – her 12-year-old daughter Miray and six-year-old son Mehmet Asaf.
• The boat has completely sunk and is lying at a depth of 514m (1, 686ft), authorities say.
• Ünal Üstel, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

For context, the vessel, which was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, began taking on water shortly after departing the coastal town of Kyrenia in the self-proclaimed Turkish republic on Cyprus.

While 19 are at present being treated at hospitals in northern Cyprus, local authorities say, eight individuals have been confirmed to have died in the incident.

While warrants have been issued for a further seven individuals, the ship's captain, seven crew members, and another man were arrested on Monday.

Ünal Üstel, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). It is only recognised by Turkey, confirmed a three-day period of national mourning.

In practice, the boat has completely sunk and is lying at a depth of 514m (1, 686ft), authorities say.

Debris remains scattered throughout the water, including a black wheelie suitcase bobbing on the surface and a sheet of steel that appeared to have broken away from the ferry.

Authorities are attempting to recover the vessel's black box recorder to establish what happened.

Notably, the privately owned ferry left the popular holiday resort of Kyrenia at regarding 12: 30 (09: 30 GMT), en route to the town of Tasucu in Turkey.

It had been scheduled to travel to Turkey on Saturday but its journey was delayed due to poor weather conditions.

Üstel informed local media the boat was hit by two waves before it capsized.

While the captain of the vessel was trying to recover from the first wave, a second wave hit and it began taking on water, he remarked.

She informed local media she felt Miray slip out of her hands and disappear as they tried to cling on to the overturned boat.

"She was saying, 'Don't let go'. And I didn't let go of my daughter. I swear, I didn't let her go, " Bicer remarked.

She remarked a suitcase fell on top of her which forced her daughter from her grip. She managed to grab hold of her daughter's foot, but her shoes were coated in engine oil from the overturned vessel and she slipped through her hands.

She and her husband, Hayri, are by the port in Kyrenia with other families as they await news of their loved ones.

For context, the ferry – a high-speed 40m long, 10m wide Filo Jet vessel – sails under the flag of Turkey, according to Marine Traffic.

Filo Denizcilik, the firm which operates the capsized passenger boat, stated it was "deeply saddened by the tragic accident".

In practice, the TRNC controls the northern third of the island of Cyprus. It has been divided since 1974.

In short, search continues for 18 passengers after ferry capsized in northern Cyprus is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.