Search and rescue teams continued operations for a second day on Monday after a passenger ferry sank off the coast of Kyrenia, leaving 18 people missing, authorities said.

The vessel was travelling from Kyrenia Harbour to the Turkish port of Taşucu in Mersin when it began taking on water at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, approximately four nautical miles off the coast.

There were 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and eight crew members, according to officials.

The ship began listing shortly after taking on water before eventually sinking completely, prompting authorities to deploy multiple search and rescue teams to the area.

Officials said rescue operations on the first day resulted in 249 people being rescued, while eight people were confirmed dead.

Search teams resumed operations on Tuesday, focusing on the sea surface and surrounding areas in an effort to locate the 18 people still unaccounted for.

Aircraft have also been deployed to support the search, with rescue personnel continuing to scan the area for possible survivors and signs of the missing passengers.

Authorities said operations would continue without interruption for as long as weather and sea conditions allow.

The cause of the ferry accident has not yet been established, and authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances that led to the vessel taking on water and sinking. (ILKHA)