The catamaran ferry with 267 people on board capsized shortly after departing Kyrenia. At least eight people died. 239 people have been rescued, according to Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
A total of 15 people have been arrested. Nine of them appeared in court on Monday on suspicion of causing death.
The captain and crew members told the court that strong waves hit the bow of the ship, causing it to take on water and later sink a few kilometres north of the coast of Cyprus.
Divers have been deployed in an attempt to find the ferry's black box.
Several survivors have said they heard an explosion as water began to rush in.
