NICOSIA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 12 as rescuers continued searching for 16 people still missing after a ferry capsized and sank off the northern coast of Cyprus on Aug. 30, Turkish Cypriot authorities said Friday.
Two more bodies were recovered during the search operation, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12, Turkish Cypriot authorities said Friday.
The double-hulled ferry, carrying 259 passengers and 8 crew members, began taking on water and capsized shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia at around midday on Aug. 30. A total of 239 people were rescued, according to Turkish authorities.
The ferry sank to a depth of about 550 meters below the sea surface. Turkey sent two deep-sea rescue vessels to assist the search operation.
The captain and 7 crew members were detained following the accident. Some survivors said the captain and the crew were the first to get out of the boat, leaving passengers without evacuation instructions, according to local media reports.
Cyprus was hit by severe storms before the accident, and sea conditions remained rough on Aug. 30. However, Turkish Cypriot authorities said weather conditions were considered suitable for the ferry to sail to the Turkish port of Tasucu, about 120 km north of Kyrenia.
The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation, authorities said. Enditem.