**Mother Tells Heartbreaking Story of Daughter's Loss in North Cyprus Ferry Disaster**
A tragic incident occurred off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday when a ferry capsized, leading to the loss of at least eight lives and leaving nearly 20 individuals missing. Among those unaccounted for are 12-year-old Miray and her 6-year-old brother, Mehmet Asaf, whose mother, Ayten Bicer, recounted the harrowing moments during the disaster.
Ayten Bicer described the panic and chaos as the ferry, which was carrying 267 passengers, took on water and overturned shortly after departing from the port city of Kyrenia. "She was saying, ‘Don’t let go’. And I didn’t let go of my daughter. I swear, I didn’t let her go,” Ayten said, visibly distraught. In a tragic twist, a suitcase fell on top of Miray, forcing her from her mother’s grasp. Despite Ayten’s desperate attempt to hold onto her daughter’s foot, the girl slipped away, her shoes coated in engine oil from the vessel.
The ferry, a double-hulled vessel, was reported to have jolted violently before capsizing. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the ship struck the sea surface with considerable force, causing part of its bow to burst open. Severe storms had battered Cyprus the day before, and rough seas persisted on Sunday, contributing to the vessel's distress.
As the ferry flipped, survivors clung to the overturned hull, with some being rescued by passing boats and coastguard authorities. Eyewitness footage shared on social media indicated that at least one compartment of the ferry may have still contained passengers at the time of the capsizing.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, families gathered outside the port in Kyrenia, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Some sat in silence, tears streaming down their faces, while others scrolled through their mobile phones for updates. The uncertainty of whether anyone remained trapped inside the vessel, which now lies on the seabed, added to the anguish.
Ayten’s husband, Hayri Bicer, expressed his despair, stating, “We lost our children. We made a lot of effort but we couldn’t save our children. Two of my children are gone. One of my sons is alive. Two of my children are gone. We left them.” His words encapsulated the deep sorrow felt by many families affected by the disaster.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with divers from Turkey joining the efforts to locate the missing individuals. Authorities have provided varying estimates on the number of people still unaccounted for, with figures ranging from 18 to 19. The ferry was en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province, part of a regular sea shuttle service between Cyprus and Turkey.
In light of the tragedy, the captain and crew of the ferry have been detained for questioning as officials investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing. The situation remains fluid, with search teams continuing their efforts in the challenging conditions of the deep waters off Kyrenia.
As the search continues, Ayten Bicer remains at the port, her eyes swollen from crying, holding onto hope for her missing children. She described the chaos during the incident, saying, “It was slipping like oil, there was diesel, our feet were slippery. It was slippery everywhere. It was like oil.” Her poignant recollection serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this maritime disaster.
The community in Kyrenia and beyond mourns the loss of lives and supports the families affected by this heartbreaking event. As rescue efforts persist, the hope for survivors remains, even as the reality of the tragedy weighs heavily on those left behind.