Eight Dead as Search Continues After Northern Cyprus Ferry Sinks

A short crossing turns into a mass rescue

At least eight people died after the Filo Jet capsized on Sunday while carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members from Kyrenia in northern Cyprus to Taşucu in southern Turkey. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said 241 people had been rescued and 18 remained missing as the operation continued.keyt Other late reports put the number unaccounted for at 17, reflecting a toll that shifted as authorities reconciled passenger and rescue records.greekreporter +1

The privately operated catamaran began taking on water roughly four nautical miles from Kyrenia, about 15 minutes after departure. Footage showed passengers in life jackets clinging to the overturned hull or floating nearby before rescue craft reached them.abc +1

Survivors describe water, wind and blocked exits

One survivor, Efe Multici, said passengers downstairs alerted crew after seeing water enter the ferry as the vessel rose and slammed down in windy conditions. He described difficulty finding life jackets and said some doors did not open as the ferry rolled to one side, forcing some passengers to break windows or jump without flotation gear.keyt

Accounts of the weather were not fully aligned. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said the ferry had already been delayed from Saturday because of poor conditions and was struck by two waves before capsizing.bbc Erhürman, however, said conditions on Sunday had been considered suitable for travel and warned that assigning a cause before the investigation was complete would be speculation.keyt +1

Deep water complicates the search and inquiry

The wreck sank in water reported to be about 514 metres deep, making any attempt to reach people possibly trapped inside especially difficult. The response included Turkish and Turkish Cypriot coastguard vessels, a civilian passenger ship and helicopters, while the Republic of Cyprus offered assistance from the island’s internationally recognised south.greekreporter +1

Police detained the captain and seven crew members while investigators examined how the disaster unfolded.keyt +1 Üstel called it the biggest maritime disaster experienced by the Turkish Cypriot administration and promised scrutiny of possible negligence. Northern Cyprus declared itself independent in 1983 but is recognised only by Turkey, and ferries on the Kyrenia–Taşucu route provide a regular, lower-cost connection to the mainland.theguardian +1