At least eight people have died and eighteen remain missing after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.
Police have detained the captain and seven crew members as part of an investigation into the sinking of the Filo Jet catamaran, which went down just fifteen minutes after leaving Kyrenia port.
Northern Cyprus's prime minister has called it the biggest maritime disaster Cyprus has ever experienced.
Borzou Daraghi, international correspondent for The Independent newspaper, says the arrests suggest authorities are scrambling to show accountability.
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OUT: “...the Eastern Mediterranean.”
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Borzou Daraghi, international correspondent for The Independent newspaper, says the ferry had already been delayed by a day because of severe weather before it set sail on Sunday.
IN: “It was delayed...”
OUT: “...and high winds.”
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Borzou Daraghi, international correspondent for The Independent newspaper, says the ferry disaster is politically significant for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan given Ankara's close ties to northern Cyprus.
IN: “Viewers and listeners...”
OUT: “...slated to win.”
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