At least 8 dead and more missing after ferry carrying hundreds capsizes off Cyprus’ northern coast

Ferry Disaster Off Northern Cyprus Leaves at Least Eight Dead as Rescue Teams Race Against Time

Qwenews.com – A passenger ferry bound for southern Turkey capsized within sight of the northern Cypriot coastline on Sunday, killing at least eight people and leaving 18 others unaccounted for. The vessel, the Filo Jet, was transporting 259 passengers and eight crew members on a routine shuttle crossing from Girne — internationally known as Kyrenia — to the Turkish port of Taşucu when it began flooding just a few miles offshore. By the time rescue crews reached the scene, 241 individuals had been pulled from the water alive, but the search for the missing continues across choppy Mediterranean waters.

The Moments Before the Vessel Went Down

Survivors describe a terrifying sequence in which water crept into the lower decks while the ship pitched violently in heavy winds. Efe Multici, a passenger aboard the Filo Jet, recounted how he and fellow travelers alerted crew members to the rising water, only to be met with apparent indifference.

“I was downstairs, and water started seeping in. We told the crew. It was really windy. The ship kept coming up and then crashing down. When the water started seeping in, we told the crew. They didn’t take it seriously.”

Multici said the situation escalated sharply once the crew finally relayed the problem to the captain. He described a vessel listing hard to port, passengers scrambling for life jackets that were either missing or inaccessible, and doors that would not open. Some travelers shattered windows to escape. Multici eventually located a vest and reached an inflatable raft before the ship rolled completely onto its side.

“Some people couldn’t find the life vests, so they had to jump off without them. It was a huge issue: the life vests. The ship went sideways at some point. It rolled toward the left. Some people broke the windows, some doors didn’t open.”

Official Response and Detentions

Tufan Erhürman, leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, confirmed the death toll of at least eight and the ongoing search for 18 missing persons. He stressed that while search-and-rescue operations hold top priority, police have simultaneously opened a formal inquiry into the cause of the capsizing.

“Investigation is ongoing. Priority is with the search and rescue but concurrently the police are carrying out their investigation. Any comments on the cause will just be speculation at this time.”

Ünal Üstel, prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, called the event “the biggest maritime disaster Cyprus has ever experienced.” He announced that the ship’s captain along with seven crew members have been taken into custody pending the investigation’s findings.

Rescue Operations in the Mediterranean

The Turkish Interior Ministry confirmed that four coastguard vessels from northern Cyprus, supplemented by a passenger ship, joined the rescue effort, alongside two coastguard helicopters dispatched to the area. Footage from the scene captured at least one helicopter hovering above the capsized hull while rescuers lifted life-jacketed individuals from the water. A live broadcast from the Girne harbor showed survivors arriving by helicopter and rescue boat amid the wail of ambulance sirens, with several ambulances staged along the quay.

MarineTraffic tracking data indicated the Filo Jet was last positioned north of Girne on Sunday morning before its automatic position broadcasts ceased, consistent with the timeline of the capsizing.

Cross-Island and International Condolences

From the Greek-administered south of the island, the Republic of Cyprus extended its condolences and offered logistical support. Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated that authorities were following developments “with deep sorrow and concern” and reaffirmed the south’s readiness to deploy resources toward search-and-rescue operations.

“At a time like this, the preservation of human life is paramount.”

Khassim Diagne, the United Nations’ top representative in Cyprus, posted on Sunday that he was “deeply saddened” by the sinking and extended his thoughts to all affected by the tragedy and to the rescue teams still working to save lives.

Numan Kurtulmuş, speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, also took to social media to convey condolences to families of those killed in what he termed “this exceedingly tragic incident.”

Background: The North-South Divide and Daily Shuttle Traffic

The Filo Jet operated one of several daily sea-shuttle links connecting northern Cyprus — a breakaway entity recognized only by Turkey — with the mainland. These crossings have served as a vital lifeline for the Turkish Cypriot community since the island’s division in 1974, when Turkish forces intervened during intercommunal conflict and a de facto border solidified between the Greek-administered south and the Turkish-administered north. For many residents of Girne and other northern towns, the short ferry ride to Taşucu represents the most practical route to family, commerce, and medical care on the Turkish mainland.

The capsizing thus strikes at the heart of a community whose daily mobility has long depended on these narrow maritime corridors. With 18 people still missing and investigations into the vessel’s condition, crew conduct, and weather conditions all underway, authorities on both sides of the island have pledged to keep families informed as the search continues through the coming hours.