ISTANBUL (AFP)

The captain of a ferry that capsized off Cyprus, leaving at least eight people dead, was ordered into police custody Monday as rescuers continued to search for 20 others still missing, officials said.

The crowded ferry carrying 267 people capsized on Sunday about four nautical miles offshore shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia in the north of the divided island.

Rescuers pulled 239 people to safety, but eight others died “and the search continues for 20 people,” said prime minister Unal Ustal.

All eight people who died were citizens of Turkiye, as well as 18 of those who are missing.

Police detained the captain and 15 others.

Addressing the court, the captain and crew said the front of the vessel had been smashed open by the force of the waves, Turkiye's Anadolu state news agency said.
The captain was remanded in custody.

Khassim Diagne, the UN Secretary-General's representative in Cyprus, said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life” and extended his sincere condolences to the families affected.

Several survivors from the vessel, a French-made Filo Jet catamaran, said they heard what sounded like an explosion shortly before it capsized. Passengers said the boat had begun taking on water, with the captain trying to return to port before the vessel capsized.

Shortly afterwards, the ferry sank and is currently lying at a depth of 514 meters (1,686 feet). Some survivors said there was not enough safety equipment for all the passengers.