Eight people dead after boat carrying 270 passengers capsizes off Cyprus - as captain and seven crew members arrested
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident
Eight people have died after a passenger boat with around 270 people on board capsized off North Cyprus - as the ship's captain and seven crew members were taken into custody.
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The boat departed from Kyrenia (also known as Girne) on Sunday, and was heading for the Turkish port of Tasucu when the incident happened earlier today.
Turkish media reported on Sunday afternoon that another body had been recovered, bringing the total to eight.
Turkish Cypriot transport minister, Erhan Arikli said 17 people are now still missing, down from 23 people earlier.
He said the remaining 242 people who were on board when the ship left the Turkish Cypriot port have been taken to the shore.
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The ship's captain and seven crew members have been arrested, according to the Turkish Cypriot prime minister as an investigation opened into how the tragedy occurred.
"Every aspect of this incident will be investigated," Unal Ustel said in a post on social media.
"Even the slightest negligence will be uncovered. No one will be spared, regardless of who is found to be at fault or responsible.
"It is both the duty of our state and its responsibility to the people we have lost and their families to fully illuminate all aspects of this great tragedy."
In a Facebook post, Mr Senkul described the situation as "very serious". He also said the vessel had 270 people on board, including passengers and crew.
The Kibris newspaper reported that the vessel, thought to be a catamaran, began taking in water about four miles off the shore.
Ambulances had been dispatched to the scene, it said.
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is controlled by and only recognised by Turkey.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident.
“The vessel had been moving very badly. It was constantly lifting out of the water and slamming back down. It was shaking violently,” survivor Efe Multici told CNN Turk.
“Three or four minutes later, the ferry leapt high into the air, then came crashing down. The front left side burst open and water started pouring in.”
Turkish Cypriot authorities said the captain of the vessel and seven crew had been detained for questioning. By late afternoon, the ship had sunk, settling on the seabed at a depth of 514 metres (1,686 ft). Divers from Turkey would be assisting the search, they said.
"Search and rescue efforts will continue until the very end, until all people are reached," Erhurman told journalists after a crisis management meeting.