The Russian Embassy in Ankara is verifying whether Russian citizens were on board a ferry that sank off Northern Cyprus, diplomatic officials told RIA Novosti.
Diplomatic representatives from the embassy in Turkey and the Russian Honorary Consulate in Mersin are investigating the disaster to determine if any Russian nationals were among the passengers on the vessel.
The passenger ferry was traveling from Northern Cyprus to the Turkish port of Taşucu when the vessel began going under water roughly two kilometers off the coast of Girne. The ferry capsized during the passage, leaving passengers stranded in the water.
A total of 279 people were on board the vessel when the emergency occurred. Rescue operations were launched following the capsizing, and officials reported that the number of victims who did not survive has reached eight.
Diplomatic investigation and vessel route
Diplomats confirmed to state news agency RIA Novosti that diplomatic staff in both Ankara and Mersin are working to clarify all circumstances surrounding the sinking. The diplomatic missions are coordinating to establish whether Russian passengers had purchased tickets or were present on the manifest at the time of departure.
Girne, also known by its Greek name Kyrenia, is a major coastal town and historic port city on the northern shore of Cyprus. The port serves as a central transportation hub for passenger ferries and commercial shipping operating between the island and ports on the Turkish mainland across the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Maritime links across the Mediterranean
The destination port of Taşucu is situated in the Silifke district of Mersin Province along the southern Mediterranean coastline of Turkey. Taşucu handles regular ferry services and maritime transit connecting southern Turkey with Northern Cyprus, making Mersin a key logistics and consular area for maritime travel across the region.
Russia maintains its primary embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara, alongside honorary consulates and consular posts in major coastal regions like Mersin to assist nationals traveling through southern Turkey. Official updates regarding foreign affairs and emergency responses involving Russian citizens are regularly communicated through RIA Novosti, a major Moscow based state news agency.
Diplomatic officials stated that foreign service personnel will continue to review updates from local authorities and monitor passenger records as verification efforts proceed.
