Passenger ferry sinks off the coast of Kyrenia

On Sunday, August 30, 2026, the Turkish-flagged passenger catamaran Filo Jet, owned by Filo Denizcilik, capsized and sank approximately four to five nautical miles off the coast of Kyrenia. The vessel was en route to Tasucu, Turkey, with 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and eight crew members. While 237 people have been rescued, authorities have confirmed at least eight fatalities, with search operations continuing for a remaining group of missing individuals.

Survivors have reported that the vessel began taking on water shortly after departure, alleging that the crew dismissed their initial concerns and that the captain abandoned the ship early. Following the disaster, the captain and the entire crew were arrested. The wreckage lies at a depth of over 500 meters, complicating ongoing rescue efforts supported by Turkish maritime and aerial units.

The Republic of Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center offered assistance via the United Nations, but authorities in the north declined the offer. The sunken vessel had recently undergone inspection by Türk Loydu. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the disaster, with officials emphasizing that the vessel's black box will be critical to the inquiry.