Ferry sinks off northern Cyprus, killing six

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A ferry sank off northern Cyprus on Wednesday, killing six people, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) prime minister said. The vessel departed from Girne port at 12:30 p.m. local time, heading for the Taşucu port in Mersin, Turkey. TRNC Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı told Anadolu that 267 people were on board, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members. Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul said 159 people had been reached by rescuers. Officials said the ferry began taking on water about four nautical miles from the coast and capsized for an unknown reason. Coast guard vessels and private boats joined search-and-rescue operations after the sinking, according to a Greek Cypriot newspaper. Footage aired by Turkish broadcasters showed passengers in life jackets stranded on the hull of the listing vessel. Survivors were taken to hospitals. No further details on the cause were immediately available.