Boat carrying nearly 270 people capsizes off northern Cyprus

Several people have died after a passenger boat with nearly 270 people aboard capsized off northern Cyprus, the head of the local government has said.

Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said six people had died. The Turkish ambassador to the northern Cypriot capital, Nicosia, confirmed there had been deaths without giving a number.

"We are deeply saddened. There has been loss of life and there are injuries," Üstel said.

Turkey's interior ministry said the ferry had been carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it began taking on water after departing the coastal town of Kyrenia. A search and rescue operation is under way.

Murat Senkul, the mayor of Kyrenia, told CNN Turk that 159 of those aboard had been reached, but cautioned: "The situation is very serious."

The privately owned ferry left the port at 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT), local media report.

Helicopters and coastguard boats have been dispatched to the scene, while ambulances have been stationed on the beach ready to receive those rescued.

The transport minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Erhan Arikli, told local media that 100 passengers had been taken to shore.

The Filo Jet vessel is a high-speed craft that sails under the flag of Turkey, according to Marine Traffic.

The vessel is 40m long and 10m wide.

Local television has broadcast images of the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests atop its hull.

The TRNC, which is recognised only by Turkey, controls the northern third of the island of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974.