Death toll rises to 15 in Filo Jet shipwreck off Kyrenia

The death toll from the August 30 shipwreck of the Filo Jet catamaran off the coast of Kyrenia has reached 15, following the recovery of a body on September 19. DNA testing confirmed the deceased is 26-year-old Mehmet Bayhan. While some local media initially reported that the name was released before family notification, the office of the Turkish Cypriot leader Unal Ustel denied these claims. Currently, 13 people remain missing as search operations using the vessel Optimus Prime continue, though investigators have yet to locate the ship's black box.

In response to the tragedy, the local administration has approved support measures for the victims' families. These include free legal assistance, a waiver of court fees and stamp duties for related proceedings, and access to free public healthcare services until August 30, 2027. Officials have pledged that those responsible for the incident will be held accountable in court. The ongoing recovery efforts are focused on the submerged wreckage, with authorities attempting to provide closure to the families of the remaining missing passengers.