Ferry carrying over 260 people capsizes off Cyprus: reports

BREAKING: A passenger ferry carrying more than 260 people has capsized off northern Cyprus shortly after leaving port, with around 100 evacuated so far as a major rescue operation is under way.

A ferry carrying more than 260 people has capsized off northern Cyprus, and a major rescue operation is under way right now.

The boat had just left the port of Kyrenia, on the Turkish-administered north of the island, bound for Tasucu on Turkey's southern coast. Turkish state media say it began taking on water only a few kilometres from shore, then went over. Video from the scene shows people in life jackets in the water around the upturned hull.

The transport minister of the north, Erhan Arikli, says around 100 passengers have been evacuated and brought ashore so far. That leaves more than 150 people unaccounted for as rescue and medical teams work the scene, and the health ministry says every service they have is being thrown at this.

A ferry that sinks minutes after leaving port, in daylight, on a routine crossing. The hardest number tonight is the one we don't have yet, how many of those 260 make it back to land.

This is Dave King, reporting for HIT.