At least eight people have died and 17 remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized Sunday off the northern coast of Cyprus, shortly after leaving Kyrenia for the Turkish port of Taşucu.
The vessel, identified as the FILOJET, was carrying about 270 people when it began taking on water roughly four nautical miles (7.4 kilometers) from Kyrenia. Survivors described violent movements before the ferry overturned, according to Reuters.
A large search-and-rescue operation was launched almost immediately, involving Turkish Cypriot and Turkish coast guard vessels, helicopters, naval assets and civilian boats. By Sunday, 237 people had been rescued, while authorities continued searching for those still missing.
The ferry departed Kyrenia at around 12:30 p.m. local time, bound for Taşucu in Türkiye’s southern Mersin province. Authorities said it began taking on water shortly after leaving port. The exact cause has not yet been established.
A Sudden Emergency at Sea
The FILOJET was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members. According to Turkish Cypriot officials, the captain issued a distress call after the vessel began taking on water, prompting coast guard and port authorities to send rescue teams to the scene. Some passengers entered the water themselves as the situation deteriorated.
The rescue operation quickly expanded beyond the local coast guard. Turkish authorities dispatched additional coast guard vessels and helicopters, while naval units and civilian boats also joined the search. Rescued passengers were taken to Kyrenia and transferred to hospitals for medical assessment and treatment.
The ferry was later found submerged at a depth of about 514 meters, according to Reuters, adding another challenge to the search for those still unaccounted for.
The vessel’s captain and seven crew members have been detained as part of the investigation, according to Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. Authorities have said the circumstances surrounding the sinking will be examined in full, including whether any negligence contributed to the disaster.
What Caused the Ferry to Sink?
The cause remains unclear. Early official accounts said the vessel encountered waves before it began taking on water.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said the ferry had originally been scheduled to depart the previous day but was delayed because of weather conditions. He later said the vessel was hit by a first wave and began taking on water after a second.
That account has not established why the ferry flooded or why it subsequently capsized. Investigators will need to determine whether the incident was related to weather, mechanical failure, structural damage, loading, stability or another factor. For now, authorities have not announced a definitive cause.
A Busy Route Across the Eastern Mediterranean
The Kyrenia-Taşucu route connects northern Cyprus with Türkiye’s southern coast and is part of a regular network of passenger and cargo services across the eastern Mediterranean.
Kyrenia, also known as Girne, sits on the northern coast of Cyprus, while Taşucu lies in Mersin province on the Turkish mainland.
The crossing is a familiar one for residents, travelers and commercial operators, making Sunday’s disaster particularly striking.
The waters between Cyprus and Türkiye are part of the eastern Mediterranean and lie within a region that is also politically sensitive because of the island’s division and competing maritime interests.
But for the passengers aboard the FILOJET, the crossing was an ordinary regional journey until the vessel suddenly began taking on water. Within minutes, it had become a major maritime emergency.
The Search Continues
As night fell Sunday, rescue teams were still searching for 17 people reported missing. The operation involves multiple agencies from northern Cyprus and Türkiye, with aircraft, helicopters, surface vessels and diving teams being used in the effort. Authorities have said the search will continue until every available lead has been exhausted.
The investigation into the disaster is also underway, with the condition of the vessel, the sequence of events and the actions of the crew among the issues expected to come under scrutiny. For now, the focus remains on the missing and on the families waiting for news.
Sources:
- Reuters (reuters.com)
- Anadolu Agency (aa.com.tr, aa.com.tr and aa.com.tr)
