At least six people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish media reported.

More than 172 people have been rescued, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT news channel.

The catamaran-style ferry was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.

The Turkish ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Basceri, said there were some casualties, but did not specify how many, speaking to Turkey’s state-run TRT news channel.

Many of the 259 passengers and eight crew members were rescued, Basceri said, adding that some were taken to hospital.

Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the ship belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank off the coast of Diana beach on Cyprus’s northern coast.

The privately owned ferry left the North Cyprus port of Kyrenia at 12:30 p.m. (0930 GMT) and immediately started taking on water........

© The Times of Israel