Ankara: Trkiye has mobilized all available resources following the capsizing of a passenger ship that was en route from Kyrenia to Mersin's Tasucu port, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Erdogan shared his condolences and well wishes with both the Turkish nation and the Turkish Cypriot community via the local social media platform NSosyal. He confirmed that extensive search and rescue operations were swiftly launched in collaboration with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The President reported that 237 passengers and crew members have been safely rescued. Unfortunately, seven individuals lost their lives in the incident. Erdogan emphasized that efforts to locate those still missing are ongoing, expressing optimism for positive updates from the search operations. He assured that all state resources have been committed to this effort.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed hope that the search and rescue operations would soon conclude successfully. Similarly, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz highlighted the rescue of 237 individuals as the "greatest consolation" amidst the tragedy. Yilmaz hoped for the safe recovery of those still missing and extended his gratitude to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot teams involved in the rescue efforts.

Trkiye's Communications Director Burhanettin Duran confirmed that search and rescue operations in the area are continuing without interruption. He expressed his condolences to the families affected and extended his well wishes to all passengers and crew members impacted by the accident.