Turkish ro-ro sinks in Marmara Sea

The

Hayat N

was destined for Istanbul, but sank not 300 metres from the shore at around 23:30 local time (20:30 GMT), shortly after leaving Bandirma in north western Turkey.Some of the casualties may have been asleep inside their vehicles. Civil defence teams, including night vision equipped helicopters, were sent to the area to assist the search and rescue operation. Divers and local fishermen were also mobilised to rescue passengers who had jumped into the sea after the accident.

Passengers have reported that events happened with dramatic speed.

The

ship only took 15 minutes to sink, causing panic amongst those on board. ‘

The

ship was rocking back and forth, to the left then to the right, then finally sunk, completely sunk,’ one survivor told CNNTurk television.

The

captain has been quoted as saying that the accident might have been caused by misplaced cargo, however, other reports in Turkish media suggest that the vessel may have been overloaded.

Around 90 people have been rescued, including the captain and 28 crew. More than 30 of the victims have been hospitalised.