A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people has capsized and completely sank off the coast of northern Cyprus, leaving at least eight people dead and more than a dozen others missing. The vessel was traveling from the coastal town of Kyrenia when it took on water after being struck by consecutive waves in rough seas.
Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish republic on Cyprus, confirmed that the ferry was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when the incident occurred. Following the disaster, the ship's captain and seven crew members were detained by authorities as part of an official investigation into the tragedy. Search and rescue operations, supported by Turkish authorities, are actively underway to locate the missing passengers. Several rescue boats have been deployed by the coastguard to rescue passengers, and helicopters have also been sent to the scene, while ambulances remain stationed on the beach to receive survivors.
The high-speed catamaran, identified as the 40-meter-long and 10-meter-wide Filo Jet, sails under the flag of Turkey and is operated by the company Filo Denizcilik. Erhan Arikli, the transport minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), confirmed on Sunday evening that the vessel has completely sunk. Arikli also reported that 100 passengers had been successfully brought to shore. The ferry had been scheduled to depart for Turkey on Saturday but faced delays due to severe weather.
Speaking to Turkish media outlet TRT, Üstel explained that the boat was hit by two waves before it capsized. While the captain was attempting to recover from the impact of the first wave, a second wave hit the vessel, causing it to take on water and capsize. A witness named Koc questioned the safety of the voyage, noting that the sea was extremely choppy. Koc added that the boat had arrived in Kyrenia on Saturday already bearing some damage to its front, stating, "It wasn't safe for them. The sea was quite choppy. People died. It's not right."
Üstel emphasized on social media that the immediate priority remains saving human lives, with security forces, rescue teams, and health officials working at the scene. He promised a rigorous investigation into the incident, declaring that "even the slightest negligence will be uncovered" and that "no one will be spared, regardless of who they are, who is found to be at fault or responsible." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to Turkish Cypriots and confirmed that extensive, uninterrupted search-and-rescue efforts were launched immediately after the accident in cooperation with northern Cyprus authorities during a military ceremony on Sunday.
Filo Denizcilik expressed deep sadness over the tragic accident and has established a telephone hotline to provide information to the relatives of those on board. Currently, the nationalities of the passengers and the condition of the injured remain unclear. Local television broadcasts showed footage of the upside-down vessel in the water, with passengers wearing life vests clinging to its hull. The TRNC, which is recognized solely by Turkey, has controlled the northern third of the divided island of Cyprus since 1974.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.