00:01At least eight people have died, and 18 remain missing after a ferry capsized off North Cyprus
00:07on Sunday, leaving survivors clinging to its overturned hull.
00:12The privately owned Filajet was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it
00:18left Kirinia at 12.30 p.m. for Tesuku in southern Turkiye.
00:23Authorities said the vessel began taking on water shortly after departure for reasons
00:27that remain unclear.
00:29Survivors said the ferry was moving erratically and shaking violently before it suddenly lifted
00:35out of the water and crashed back down.
00:38The impact reportedly tore open the front left side of the vessel, allowing water to pour
00:43in.
00:43A total of 241 people were rescued, while the ferry later sank to the seabed at a depth of
00:49514 meters.
00:51The captain and seven crew members have been detained for questioning.
00:55Divers from Turkiye are expected to join the search for those still missing.
01:00Relatives and friends gathered outside hospitals in the port, anxiously waiting for news.
01:06Naif Ezer said three of his friends were on board and travelling home to see their families,
01:11but only one had been found.
01:12They went to see their families.
01:15They were working here.
01:16They went to see their families.
01:19They went to see their families.
01:42They went to see their families.
01:48They went to see their families.
01:49They went to see their families.
01:56Cyprus's internationally-recognized government has also offered its condolences and assistance.
02:02The island has been divided along Greek and Turkish Cypriot lines since 1974 when Turkey
02:08invaded following a brief coup inspired by Greece.
02:22.
02:22.
02:22.
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