30.08.2026 17:41
A citizen who survived the passenger ferry that sank off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus recounted the events during the disaster. The survivor claimed that the ship suddenly began taking on water, that they could not find life jackets, and that the exit door was shut on them, also stating that the surface of the sea was covered in diesel fuel.
While search and rescue efforts continue by air and sea in the region following the sinking of a passenger ferry off the coast of Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the account of one witness to the disaster drew attention.
"WE COULDN'T FIND A LIFE JACKET, THEY CLOSED THE DOOR ON US"
The survivor, who returned from the brink of death, described what happened during the sinking process as follows: "At first, the ship was skipping over the waves. Suddenly, water gushed in from inside; when the seat burst, we started shouting, 'call the coast guard.' We hadn't even gone far. At that moment, an official came out and said everything was normal, but panic had already begun. When we headed for the exit door, the staff and the captain were there. There was a huge stampede, and we couldn't find life jackets. They closed the door on us and said, 'wait, we'll get you out,' but we couldn't get out; we couldn't push the door!"
"THE SURFACE OF THE WATER WAS COVERED WITH DIESEL FUEL"
The survivor also claimed that there was diesel fuel on the surface of the sea during the sinking. The survivor, who alleged that the fuel may have been released into the sea to reduce the ship's weight, described the great fear experienced by passengers who jumped into the water.