Key facts
- A ferry capsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday.
- At least eight people died, and 20 are missing.
- Ayten Bicer's 12-year-old daughter, Miray, and 6-year-old son, Mehmet Asaf, are among the missing.
- Bicer recounted her daughter slipping from her grasp due to a falling suitcase and oily shoes.
- The ferry was carrying 267 passengers and had departed from Kyrenia.
- Search efforts are ongoing in deep waters, with Turkish assistance expected.
A ferry carrying 267 people capsized off the coast of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus on Sunday, resulting in at least eight confirmed deaths and leaving 20 individuals, including two children, still missing.
Ayten Bicer recounted the traumatic experience of her 12-year-old daughter, Miray, slipping from her grasp as the vessel overturned. Bicer described how a suitcase fell on her daughter, forcing her from her mother's hold. Despite holding onto her daughter's foot, her oily shoes caused her to slip away. Her 6-year-old son, Mehmet Asaf, is also among the missing.
Survivors were rescued by nearby vessels and the coastguard, clinging to the overturned hull. Search teams are continuing their efforts in waters exceeding 500 meters in depth. A ship from Turkey is expected to arrive on Tuesday to assist in the search operations.
Authorities have detained nine individuals connected to the ferry's operations for questioning. The vessel reportedly jolted violently before flipping, with severe storms in the region contributing to the rough seas at the time of the incident. Debris, including a suitcase and a piece of steel, was visible on the water on Monday.