Recovery operations intensify following Filo Jet shipwreck off Kyrenia

Rescue operations have entered their fourth day following the capsizing and sinking of the passenger catamaran Filo Jet off the coast of Kyrenia. The disaster has claimed at least eight lives, with 20 people still reported missing. Debris from the vessel has been washing ashore in Lapithos, while families of the missing remain gathered at the Kyrenia port in a state of distress.

The search effort is being led by the Turkish naval vessels TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar. Using advanced sonar and remote-operated underwater vehicles (ROV), the vessels have successfully located the shipwreck at a depth of approximately 550 meters. TCG Alemdar, equipped with specialized subsea recovery technology, has joined the operation to assist in identifying the wreck and potentially recovering bodies trapped inside. Authorities, including T/C leader Tufan Erhürman, have confirmed that operations are running around the clock.

Historical records reveal the 43-meter vessel was built in 2000 in France and had a documented history of water intake issues, including a reported incident on May 16, 2026. The T/C Bar Association has called for an investigation into the administrative and political responsibilities surrounding the tragedy, which appears to stem from years of neglect and technical degradation.