Kyrenia shipwreck: object found at 550 metres believed to be sunken ferry, Erhurman says

Local accidentoccupied northTop News Kyrenia shipwreck: object found at 550 metres believed to be sunken ferry, Erhurman says Open Photo Relevant News Kyrenia shipwreck: object found at 550 metres believed to be sunken ferry, Erhurman says 1 September 2026 Kyrenia shipwreck: 13 of 19 injured survivors discharged from hospital 1 September 2026 Cyprus tech body seeks €1bn AI programme by 2032 1 September 2026 newsroom 1 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber An object located at a depth of 550 metres off Kyrenia is believed to be the ferry that capsized on Sunday, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said. No further detail on the discovery was immediately available. A specialist Turkish search team has been working to pinpoint the wreckage, with 20 people still missing. Erhurman said the search and rescue operations off Kyrenia were being carried out with extreme caution, adding that results should not be expected quickly. He said the searches would continue throughout the night, with a second search and rescue vessel expected to reach the occupied areas tomorrow morning. “Surface searches are also continuing without interruption. They haven’t stopped. Work is continuing simultaneously both under the sea and on the surface,” Erhurman said. He added that divers cannot descend beyond 90 metres, and that operating at 500 metres is not straightforward. The process of lowering robotic technology had begun, he said, with findings expected at a later stage; he noted there are sea currents in the area and that the system is being lowered gradually. At least eight people died when the twin-hulled vessel, carrying 267 passengers and crew, started taking in water and overturned shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia. The Turkish navy rescue vessel TCG Isin has a remotely operated vehicle able to search the deep water where the ferry sank, about four nautical miles off the coast, minutes after setting off for the town of Tasucu, in Turkey’s Mersin province. “Once the wreck is identified, salvage operations will begin at a significant depth of 500 metres (1,640 feet), and detailed search and investigation activities will be carried out… using a remotely operated vehicle,” said Major Ulas Cesur, commander of the TCG Isin. Survivors who scrambled to safety by clinging to part of the overturned hull were picked up by boats. Footage posted on social media appeared to show people still inside one of the compartments as others perched on the tip of the boat waiting for help. Children are among those missing. The cause of the disaster is under investigation, though Turkish Cypriot authorities said the vessel had a valid seaworthiness certificate. Witnesses have said the ferry, a wide-bodied catamaran, was lurching violently before crashing into the water, the impact tearing open part of its bow. On Monday, nine people connected to the vessel’s operations were remanded in custody for three days to assist police inquiries. (With information from Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Kyrenia shipwreck: 13 of 19 injured survivors discharged from hospital Cyprus tech body seeks €1bn AI programme by 2032 Cyprus sees almost six divorces a day, over half involve couples with no children Erhurman meets grieving Kyrenia families, rejects doubts over death toll EU Parliament votes for memorial to victims of sexual violence in 1974 Neofytou challenges Demetriou, says he’d stand beside Christodoulides on Cyprus solution Cyprus one medal shy of matching best-ever Mediterranean Games haul Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.