Several helicopters and Turkish Navy ships have been deployed to help rescue the passengers at sea, the interior ministry said.

At least 16 vessels and two helicopters belonging to the coast guard and navy have been dispatched.

“Search and rescue efforts are being carried out meticulously and in coordination among the relevant units,” it said.

An urgent search is underway to find the 23 missing people, the self-declared northern Cyprus prime minister said.

In a statement shared to social media, Unal Ustel said all resources had been mobilised following the “tragic” incident.

“Our utmost priority at this moment is to reach the 23 missing individuals as soon as possible,” he said.

“Out of the total 267 people on board the ship, 237 have been rescued by our teams. Unfortunately, 7 individuals have lost their lives.

“I offer my condolences from Allah for those who have passed away, and wish patience and strength to their families and loved ones. I pray for a swift recovery for the injured.

“All institutions of our state are on the ground. We are continuing the search and rescue efforts with the utmost care and closely following developments.”

The boat that capsized in northern Cyprus on Sunday was operated by ferry company Filo Denizcilik, Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said.

Filo Denizcilik operates ferry services connecting Northern Cyprus and Turkey and goes between four different ports.

The ferry sank off the coast of Diana beach on Cyprus’ northern coast and was travelling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.

At least seven people have died and several remain missing after a ferry carrying more than 260 people capsized off of Cyprus today.

Northern Cyprus prime minister Unal Ustel confirmed the deaths to local media, saying around 237 people had also been rescued.

He said an urgent search was underway for another 24 people.

The ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, Mr Ustel added.

Officials have confirmed that passengers have died after a ferry capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus today.

In a statement shared by local media, Unal Ustel, the prime minister of Northern Cyprus, said: “We are deeply saddened. There has been loss of life and there are injuries.

“We are on the ground with all our resources.”

The Turkish ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Basceri, also said there were some casualties, but did not specify how many, speaking to Turkey’s state-run TRT news channel.

More than 172 people have been rescued from the boat that capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.

Unal Ustel, the prime minister of Northern Cyprus confirmed the rescue to Turkish state-run TRT news channel.

The ferry was carrying more than 260 people and the search for others is still underway.

An operation is underway after a boat carrying more than 260 people capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.

Local media reported that the vessel was traveling from the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus, to the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.

There are no reports of casualties so far.