A ferry carrying approximately 270 passengers capsized and sank off the coast of northern Cyprus, resulting in at least eight confirmed deaths and leaving around 18 people missing. Survivors have reported that the crew ignored their warnings about the vessel taking on water shortly after it departed from Kyrenia, also known as Girne, on Sunday. The captain and seven crew members have been arrested as part of an investigation into the incident.
The ferry, identified as the Filo Jet and sailing under the Turkish flag, departed at 11:58 a.m. local time, bound for the Turkish port of Tasucu. Tragedy struck approximately 15 minutes after departure when the boat began to take on water. Passengers alerted the crew to the situation and requested to return to port, but their concerns were reportedly dismissed.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes as the ferry began to sink. Some survivors reported a blast at the bow of the vessel before it capsized. One passenger in his 50s told local television that the front of the boat "exploded" and "side windows 'blew out'" as water rushed in. He also stated that the captain was among the first to abandon ship without organizing any evacuation efforts. Elderly passengers were reportedly trapped inside the vessel as it went down.
Footage from the scene showed the ferry overturned, with some survivors in life jackets sitting on its hull while others were in the water. Reports indicated that life jackets were in short supply, leading some individuals to jump into the sea without buoyancy aids. One rescued passenger stated he spent about an hour and a half in the water before being saved.
By late afternoon, the ferry had completely sunk, coming to rest on the seabed at a depth of 514 meters (1,686 feet). A major search and rescue operation, involving Turkish Cypriot coastguard boats and helicopters, was underway and continued into the night. Divers from Turkey were expected to assist in the effort.
Authorities reported that 161 of the approximately 270 people on board were rescued and taken to hospitals, while 76 have returned home. The self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has declared a three-day period of mourning for the tragedy, described by Prime Minister Unal Ustel as the country's "biggest maritime disaster."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences and stated that his government was coordinating with Northern Cyprus on the search and rescue efforts. The Cypriot government also expressed its readiness to assist with all available means.
The Cyprus Department of Meteorology had forecast generally slight sea conditions for the north coast on Sunday, with small, gentle waves. The ferry company, Filo Denizcilik, issued a statement expressing deep sadness and prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew, stating that all its resources were mobilized in coordination with rescue teams.