Kyrenia: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhurman announced Tuesday that an object thought to be the wreckage of a passenger ferry that capsized off the coastal city of Kyrenia on Sunday has been discovered at a depth of 550 meters (1,804 feet).

According to Anadolu Agency, the TRNC Presidency released a written statement indicating that Erhurman was monitoring the ongoing search and recovery efforts, noting that operations were being conducted both on and below the sea surface. Erhurman remarked, "The work is being carried out in a highly technical and sensitive manner. At this point, the location of an object believed to be the sunken vessel has been identified. The object was detected at a depth of 550 meters. I repeat, it is believed to be the sunken vessel."

Erhurman further stated that search efforts in the area were extending into the evening, with additional support arriving from Trkiye to assist in the operations. The Turkish Navy's TCG Alemdar search and rescue vessel is expected to reach the TRNC on Wednesday, following the arrival of TCG Isin. The TCG Isin, which had arrived from Trkiye to aid in locating both the missing individuals and the wreckage, initiated robotic scanning operations in the area on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred when the Filo Jet high-speed passenger vessel, operating between Kyrenia Port in the TRNC and Tasucu Port in Trkiye's southern Mersin province, began taking on water shortly after departing from Kyrenia on Sunday afternoon. The vessel capsized while attempting to return to Kyrenia Port. Thus far, 241 people have been rescued, and the bodies of eight individuals have been recovered. Search efforts continue for 20 people who remain missing. The wreckage is believed to be located at a depth of 550 meters below the sea surface.