Eight dead, 18 missing after ferry capsizes off Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus

August 31, 2026 at 03:12 PM2 min

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Eight people died and 18 remain missing after the high-speed ferry Filo Jet capsized off Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, on August 30. The vessel was en route from Kyrenia to Taşucu, Turkey, with 267 people aboard when it began taking on water and overturned about four nautical miles from shore. Rescue teams saved 241 people, while 19 survivors remain hospitalized.

Key Facts

The ferry Filo Jet was carrying 267 people — 259 passengers and eight crew — when it capsized off Kyrenia on August 30.
Rescuers recovered 249 people: 241 survived and eight died, while 18 remain missing.
The vessel sank to a depth of 514 meters after overturning about four nautical miles from shore.
The Turkish Navy rescue ship TCG IŞIN, equipped with a remotely operated underwater vehicle, has been deployed to the wreck site.
Fourteen people, including the captain and crew, have been arrested in connection with the disaster.

The Capsizing

The high-speed passenger ferry Filo Jet departed Kyrenia for Taşucu, Turkey, around noon on August 30. Shortly after leaving port, the vessel began taking on water from the bow and overturned approximately four nautical miles from shore. The ferry later sank and came to rest at a depth of 514 meters. Coast Guard and Civil Defense teams reached the scene within 15–20 minutes of the distress call, according to Northern Cyprus Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı.

Rescue and Recovery

Of the 267 people on board, 241 were rescued alive and eight bodies were recovered. Eighteen people remain unaccounted for, and search operations continued for a second day. The Turkish Navy dispatched the rescue ship TCG IŞIN, fitted with a remotely operated underwater vehicle, to inspect the sunken ferry for possible survivors. Nineteen rescued passengers remain hospitalized, including a woman whose sister was transferred to Turkey in an unconscious state.

Investigation and Arrests

The captain, identified as M.Ö., and seven crew members appeared before the Kyrenia Accident Court on charges of causing death by negligence. The court ordered the arrest of seven additional suspects and adjourned the hearing until 11:30 a.m. to allow their appearance. In their statements, the captain and crew claimed the bow broke off due to waves, causing the capsize, and that weather data and vessel certification were in order at departure. The court requested collection of technical data, witness testimony, and confirmation of whether an investigation has been opened in Turkey. Northern Cyprus authorities reported that 14 people have been arrested in connection with the disaster.