Passenger ship sinks off the coast of Kyrenia

On August 30, 2026, the passenger vessel Filo Jet capsized and sank approximately four nautical miles off the coast of occupied Kyrenia while en route to Taşucu. Out of 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and eight crew members, eight deaths have been confirmed, and 242 individuals were rescued alive. Search and rescue operations involving ships, helicopters, and drones from Turkey and the local administration continue for the remaining missing, whose number is reported as 18 by authorities, while some sources cite 23.

The ship now lies at a depth of 514 meters. Authorities have declared a three-day national mourning period ending on September 2. Investigations are currently underway, with nine suspects brought before the Kyrenia District Court and arrest warrants issued for a total of 16 individuals, including the captain, crew, and company officials, on charges of causing death through negligence. Survivors have alleged that the crew ignored early signs of flooding, provided false reassurance, and abandoned the ship before passengers. Crew members have reportedly claimed that the vessel's bow broke off, a detail currently being examined in the ongoing technical investigation.