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BODRUM, Turkey — <\/span>At least seven people have died after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish media reported.<\/p>\n Some 237 people have been rescued, Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel told Turkish state-run TRT news channel. He said a search was underway for another 24 people.<\/p>\n Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure. A call for help was issued shortly after, he said.<\/p>\n The catamaran-style ferry 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.<\/p>\n Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul said the ship belonged to the Filo Denizcilik ferry company and sank off the coast of Diana beach on Cyprus\u2019 northern coast.<\/p>\n The ferry started taking in water about 7.5 kilometers (4 nautical miles) off the coast, TRT reported.<\/p>\n Video footage from the scene shows people with life-vests floating in the waters around the capsized vessel. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n