Video Captures Moments Before Kyrenia Tragedy (VIDEO)

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Video footage has emerged of the tragic moments before a catamaran capsized off the coast of the occupied areas of Cyprus where at least eight people have died and 18 remain missing, on Sunday afternoon, August 30.

The vessel was carrying 267 people — 259 passengers and eight crew members — when it began taking on water shortly after leaving Kyrenia on its way to the port of Taşucu in Mersin, southern Turkey.

Authorities in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus said rescuers have so far saved 241 people. Search and rescue operations involving 13 vessels and two helicopters will continue throughout the night.

The Turkish Cypriot leader Ünal Üstel said authorities arrested the captain and seven crew members following the disaster. The self-declared cabinet also announced three days of mourning in the occupied areas.

Video captures panic inside the catamaran

Videos filmed inside the vessel show passengers in moments of panic as the catamaran began taking on water and faced the danger of capsizing.

The vessel was approximately seven kilometres from the coast when water began entering the ship. According to the Turkish Cypriot website Kıbrıs Postası, the captain attempted to turn the vessel back towards the port but could not complete the manoeuvre before it capsized.

Turkish Cypriot Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı said at least eight people had died and 17 remained missing, while rescue operations continued.

Arıklı said the wreck lies at a depth of 514 metres. He also told BRT that a reputable company had inspected the vessel at the Akdeniz shipyard two months earlier.

He said investigators expect the vessel’s black box to provide crucial answers once authorities recover it, particularly about why the catamaran began taking on water and sank so quickly.

Earlier, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman had reported seven deaths and 23 missing people, according to CNN Türk.

Survivor describes a large wave and a breaking sound

The catamaran had sent an SOS signal approximately 15 to 20 minutes after leaving Kyrenia for Taşucu.

A survivor said a large wave struck the vessel, followed by what sounded like something breaking.

According to her account, passengers urged the crew to return to port, but she claimed the crew insisted on continuing the journey and said such incidents happened frequently.

Authorities have continued search and rescue operations by sea and air, deploying all available resources to locate the missing passengers.

Rescuers transported survivors to hospitals. Health authorities said their condition was not considered serious.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also expressed his condolences to the Turkish Cypriot community and the Turkish nation.

Questions over the vessel’s seaworthiness

Initial reports identified the vessel as the high-speed Express catamaran, reportedly owned by Filo Denizcilik. The vessel measures approximately 40 metres in length and 10 metres in width.

The company operating the vessel said it was “deeply saddened” by the tragic accident.

Unconfirmed reports have raised questions about the vessel’s construction and seaworthiness. Some claims suggest that the materials used in its construction may not have been suitable for navigation. Other reports allege that the vessel was old and that its fibreglass construction suffered severe damage, potentially causing the rapid structural failure of the catamaran.

Authorities have not officially confirmed those claims, and the exact cause of the sinking remains unknown.

The company has also established a telephone information line for relatives of passengers seeking updates on the rescue operation.

Republic of Cyprus offers assistance

The Republic of Cyprus reportedly offered assistance from the outset through the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), prioritising the protection of human life.

The JRCC contacted UNFICYP and asked it to communicate to the Turkish Cypriot side that the Republic of Cyprus was ready, if necessary, to take part in the rescue operation using its available air and maritime assets.

Investigators are expected to examine the vessel’s condition, the circumstances surrounding the sudden water ingress and the actions of the crew as they seek to establish what caused the deadly disaster.

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