Nearly 20 people are still missing after a ferry capsized ⁠off northern Cyprus, killing at least eight, as divers join search teams scouring deep waters for ⁠any survivors.

The double-hulled ⁠ferry ​with 267 people onboard took in water and flipped over on Sunday just off the port city ⁠of Kyrenia, leaving survivors clinging to the upturned hull. They were rescued by passing vessels and members of the coastguard.

“We’ve been waiting since the morning, for 12 hours or ​maybe more,” said Naif Ezer, ‌one of those ‌waiting anxiously outside the port for news of passengers through the ‌early hours of Monday.

Of three friends travelling home to see their families, one had been found but the other two were still missing, he added. Some of those waiting sat and wept, while others scrolled mobile phones for updates.

Passengers being rescued from the capsized ferry on Sunday. Photograph: Reuters TV/Reuters

It was unclear ‌if people remained trapped on the vessel, now lying on the seabed at a depth of more ​than 500 metres (1,640ft).

Divers from Turkey were assisting the search, officials said. They gave differing estimates of the number of missing, with some saying 19 and others 18.

The ferry ran into trouble shortly ⁠after leaving Kyrenia for the Turkish port of Taşucu in ​Mersin province, ​one of several daily sea shuttle ​links between Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus and mainland Turkey.

Separate accounts said the wide-bodied ​vessel jolted violently before ‌slamming on to ​the sea ​surface, with part of its bow bursting open on impact.

Authorities have detained the captain and crew of the vessel for questioning.