A passenger ferry traveling from Kyrenia to Turkey began taking on water shortly after leaving port and capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. Hundreds of people were brought safely ashore, but the search for those still missing continues.
The passenger ferry FILOJET capsized off the coast of Kyrenia shortly after departing for the Turkish port of Tasucu. More than 260 people were on board, including 259 passengers and eight crew members. A total of 241 people were rescued, but eight people were killed and another 18–19 are still reported missing.
Survivors said the vessel began rocking violently, repeatedly rising above the water and crashing back down. After one of the impacts, the bow was damaged and water rushed inside.
“The vessel was moving very violently. It kept rising above the water and crashing back down. It was shaking heavily,” survivor Efe Multici told CNN Turk.
The rescue operation continued throughout the night. Coast guard vessels and helicopters were deployed to the scene, while Turkish divers also joined the search. Meanwhile, the ferry sank completely to the seabed at a depth of around 500 meters, significantly complicating rescue efforts.
The captain and seven crew members were detained for questioning. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established, although authorities said the island had experienced severe storms the previous day.
According to Reuters, relatives of passengers spent the night outside the port and hospital in Kyrenia, waiting for information about their loved ones.
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