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A passenger boat with nearly 270 people on board has capsized off northern Cyprus, with a search and rescue operation under way.
It was reported that at least six people have died after the shit sank on Sunday, August 30.
Turkey's interior ministry said that the passenger ship was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it began taking on water after departing Kyrenia, Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Taşucu.
Murat Senkul, the mayor of the coastal town, told CNN Turk that 159 of those aboard had been reached.
"The situation is very serious," he said.
Local television has broadcast images of the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests atop its hull.
The privately owned ferry left the port at 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT), local media reported.
Helicopters and coastguard boats have been dispatched to the scene, while ambulances have been stationed on the beach.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Turkey, controls the northern third of the island of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974.
While many of the people who were on the boat have been rescued, there is still a considerable search and rescue operation under way.
What do we know about the vessel?
As reported by the BBC News, the Filo Jet vessel is a high-speed craft that sails under the flag of Turkey.
The vessel is 40 metres long and 10 metres wide, according to Marine Traffic.
There have been casualties after the ship capsized seven kilometres (4 miles) off the coast of Kyrenia Harbour, Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus says.
In a statement at the scene he said, "We are deeply saddened. There has been loss of life and there are injuries."
"We are on the ground with all our resources," he added.
