The search operation following the sinking of a vessel off Kyrenia is continuing at full intensity, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said, warning that the depth of 514 metres at the site of the wreck is significantly hampering efforts to locate any people who may still be on board.
Speaking to the Turkish Cypriot broadcaster BRT, Erhürman said there had been 267 people on the vessel, including 259 passengers and eight crew members.
So far, 244 people have been accounted for, he said. Of these, 237 were rescued alive, while seven died.
Erhürman expressed his deep sadness over the incident and said 23 people remained missing.
Turkish support deployed
He said search and rescue teams were working intensively to locate the 23 missing people.
Assistance had also been sent to the area from Turkey, including five Coast Guard vessels, two helicopters and six Naval units, Erhürman said.
However, he stressed that the depth of 514 metres where the vessel sank was making the operation particularly difficult.
Under the current conditions, access to the interior of the vessel did not appear to be feasible in order to search for any people who might be inside, he said.
Search operations are continuing using a range of technological equipment and methods.
Source: CNA
