Cyprus Ferry Tragedy: Survivors Describe Children Drowning in Chaos

Survivors of a devastating ferry disaster off the coast of Cyprus are recounting the terrifying moments of chaos as their vessel capsized, leading to the confirmed deaths of eight people and leaving 18 others missing. The ferry, carrying 267 passengers, was en route from Kyrenia, a port in breakaway northern Cyprus, to Tasucu in Turkey when tragedy struck on Sunday afternoon.

Serkan Kunduraci, one of the survivors who managed to escape through a broken window, painted a grim picture of the scene. He witnessed children and adults drowning just 7.5 kilometers (4 nautical miles) off the Cypriot coast. "I saw some who didn't know how to swim die in the sea," Kunduraci told DHA news agency.

He described how panic gripped the passengers, with many failing to grab life jackets or jumping into the frigid waters out of fear. He also tragically recalled an elderly man who couldn't be saved, saying, "We saw and witnessed a family's children, boys and girls, very young children, drowning." Survivors reported hearing loud noises from below decks before the ferry began listing and taking on water.

Kunduraci stated that crew members initially downplayed the issue, assuring passengers it was merely a "loose gasket causing a leak." However, the situation quickly deteriorated.

When an evacuation order was finally given, panic had already set in.

The ship began to tilt dramatically as the captain reportedly attempted to return to Kyrenia (Girne).

The chaos intensified as people struggled to escape.

There was so much screaming and so many people were trapped behind - they had been left in the rear,

Kunduraci recounted. "They couldn't get out.

There were bodies and people piled on top of them. Those trapped underneath were the unlucky ones, they stayed down there." Deniz Ozpolat, another survivor, echoed the sense of panic, describing a crush of people near the exits and the inability to find life jackets. He added that the doors were shut, trapping many inside.

Rescue teams are continuing their search for the 18 missing individuals, while the maritime community grapples with the scale of this maritime tragedy.

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