Northern Cyprus ferry disaster: at least seven dead as vessel capsizes – latest updates

Northern Cyprus Ferry Disaster: Seven Dead, 23 Missing

Wanderstayfinder.com – The Northern Cyprus ferry disaster unfolded within minutes of departure on Sunday, when the catamaran Filo Jet capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia (Girne) bound for Taşucu in southern Turkey. At least seven of the roughly 270 passengers and crew aboard were killed before the vessel sank to a depth of 514 metres (1,686 feet), according to the transport minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

By late Sunday evening the toll had risen. Sami Ozuslu, a Republican Turkish Party member of parliament, confirmed to journalists after visiting Nicosia’s central hospital with a delegation from the ruling party that nine or ten fatalities had been verified. Three children were in intensive care, though their conditions appeared to be stabilizing.

“Sadly we are now hearing that there are nine or ten dead,” Ozuslu said. “I met many relatives at the central hospital in Nicosia earlier today who were looking for family members among the missing. Everyone was in a state of shock.”

Rescue and Recovery

Prime minister Ünal Üstel told Turkish state broadcaster TRT that the ferry encountered rough seas almost immediately after departure and began taking water on deck roughly fifteen minutes into the crossing. He announced that 237 of the 267 people aboard had been recovered and called the search for the remaining 23 the “utmost priority” of every agency involved.

“I offer my condolences from Allah for those who have passed away, and wish patience and strength to their families and loved ones,” the prime minister wrote on X, referring to the event as a “tragic shipwreck.”

In response to the Northern Cyprus ferry disaster, four coast guard vessels and a civilian passenger boat were dispatched from the north, while Ankara sent five additional Turkish coastguard ships and two helicopters to comb the waters around the wreck site through the evening.

Hospitals and Family Response

Emergency wards in Nicosia, Kyrenia, and surrounding towns filled quickly as families converged on hospitals desperate for word of spouses, children, and parents. Transport minister Erhan Arikli told TRT that 161 injured passengers had been admitted to medical facilities, while 76 had already been discharged and reunited with relatives.

Mehmet Harmanci, mayor of the breakaway northern section of Nicosia, described coordinating the collection of warm clothing, blankets, and other essentials for hypothermia-affected survivors being transferred to the island’s main hospital.

“There are 23 still missing and others who have also been injured although we don’t know to what degree,” Harmanci said. “The wounded are being sent to hospital here in (northern) Nicosia and we are gathering warm clothes for them.”

Harmanci called the event the worst maritime catastrophe in the 43 years since the Turkish Cypriot community declared independence in 1974, a status recognized only by Ankara and a handful of other states. “We have not seen anything like this before. It’s very serious,” he added.

Vessel Background and Operator Response

The Filo Jet is a catamaran-type passenger ferry operated by Filo Denizcilik, which runs scheduled crossings between Kyrenia and Taşucu. The vessel had been photographed as recently as September 2024, and its twin-hull design was intended to offer greater stability in open-water conditions. The exact cause of the capsizing had not been determined as of Sunday evening, and authorities had not released the nationalities or identities of those confirmed dead.

Filo Denizcilik issued a statement saying it was “deeply saddened” by what it called a “tragic accident,” confirming that a crisis management team had been established within the company and that all resources were mobilized in full coordination with authorized search-and-rescue teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people were aboard the Filo Jet? Prime minister Ünal Üstel stated that 267 people were on board. Of those, 237 had been recovered by late Sunday evening, leaving 23 missing.

Where did the vessel sink? The Filo Jet went down in waters near Kyrenia (Girne) at a depth of 514 metres (1,686 feet), according to the transport minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

What is known about the cause? As of Sunday evening, authorities had not determined the exact cause. Üstel reported that rough sea conditions struck the vessel almost immediately after departure and that deck flooding began roughly fifteen minutes into the