A search-and-rescue ship from Turkey has joined in the efforts to reach a ferry that capsized off Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus on Sunday.

At least eight people died when the vessel overturned shortly after leaving the port with 267 passengers and crew aboard. Twenty people are missing.

The ​Turkish navy rescue vessel has a remotely operated vehicle that can search the deep water where the ferry ⁠sank, about four nautical miles ​off the coast. The ferry had set off for the town of Tasucu in Turkey’s Mersin province only minutes before capsizing.

Survivors who scrambled to safety by clinging to part of the overturned hull were picked up by boats. Footage posted on social media appeared to show people still inside one of the compartments as others perched on the tip of the boat waited for help. Children are among ‌those missing.

The cause ⁠of the disaster is under investigation. Turkish Cypriot authorities said the vessel had a valid seaworthiness certificate.

The Turkish rescue vessel’s deployment coincided with the detention of the captain, crew, owners and port officials and their appearance in the district court.

The captain and crew testified that the ferry capsized after its bow was breached by high waves. They said the vessel had valid navigation certificates, and the weather was fine when the ship commenced its voyage to mainland Turkey. The ferry sank to a depth of 514 metres, significantly complicating the investigation and recovery operations.

The crossing had originally been scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to a storm. Although the weather had improved on Sunday, conditions were difficult when the incident occurred, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen reported.

The vessel was commissioned at the Iris Catamarans shipyard in La Rochelle, France on June 1st, 2001.

It was originally named Iris Jet and was owned by the manufacturer before being sold to the Spanish company Cape Balear SL, registered in Palamós, to operate in the Balearic Islands.

In 2003, Iris Jet was chartered by the Turkish company Meltem Denizcilik for limited sailings between Turkey and northern Cyprus. In 2003, it collided with a pier at Tasucu, a popular tourist resort in Mersin Province, but continued operating until suffering serious leakage.

Repairs at a suitable port were recommended, but these were not implemented before the ship’s condition deteriorated, leading to years of insurance and legal disputes.

The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus said it was ready to offer resources and expertise for the search effort.

The north is cautious and can be hostile about accepting the republic’s help, but there have been exceptions. During two rapidly spreading wildfires in May 2020 in the villages of Diorios and Kormakitis, and in June 2022 in Kantara, the north asked for and promptly received aid, including firefighting aircraft.