Nearly 20 still missing after north Cyprus ferry capsize kills eight.

A catamaran ferry capsized roughly 7.5 kilometers off northern Cyprus on Sunday, killing at least six people. The vessel operated by Filo Denizcilik sank near Diana beach after departing Kyrenia.

• 259 passengers and 8 crew members were aboard at departure.
• More than 172 people rescued, per northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
• Coastguard boats and rescue helicopters responded; some survivors climbed onto the upturned hull.
• Northern Cyprus Health Ministry activated emergency rescue and health services.

Why it matters: The Kyrenia-to-Tasucu route is one of the busiest ferry crossings in the eastern Mediterranean. A mass-casualty event there affects a politically sensitive, internationally unrecognized territory.

• Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Basceri confirmed casualties to TRT but did not give a specific count.

How 28 sources split on this story

Where they split: Earlier reports cited no casualties; The Guardian, publishing later, confirmed at least six deaths — reflecting the fast-moving nature of the rescue operation.

What’s next: Search and rescue operations are ongoing; the full death toll remains unconfirmed.

• Some survivors were taken to hospital; their conditions were not detailed.
• How many passengers remain unaccounted for after the rescue operation?
• What caused the ferry to take on water roughly 7.5 km from shore?
• Will Turkish or Cypriot authorities open a formal investigation into Filo Denizcilik?