Ferry disaster off northern Cyprus: captain and eight crew members charged with manslaughter
At least eight people died when the ferry "Filo Jet" capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus. Nine suspects face trial, and 18 people remain missing.
Catamaran sinks after hull fracture – passengers report locked doors
At least eight people died when the ferry "Filo Jet" capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, 239 of the total 267 people on board were rescued; 18 people remain missing. The arrested captain, seven crew members and the director of shipping company Filo Denizcilik must answer for their actions before the court in Girne (Greek: Kyrenia). The charge is "killing through negligence and recklessness", as reported by northern Cypriot broadcaster BRT. Judge Hazal Hacimulla announced that a total of 16 people are to be summoned and questioned.
According to the authorities, the ship capsized on Sunday afternoon shortly after leaving Girne port heading for the southern Turkish city of Taşucu in Mersin province – four nautical miles from the coast. Deputy Police Commissioner Mehmet Mannaş told the northern Cypriot daily newspaper Kıbrıs Postası that the ship had suffered a fracture on the front left side; water entering the hull caused the catamaran to capsize. Sea conditions were stormy according to media reports.
Passengers describe panic and blocked escape routes
Survivors levelled serious accusations against the crew. Several of the 259 passengers told northern Cypriot transport minister Erhan Arıklı that doors and escape routes had been locked. Additionally, the captain is said to have fled the ship before all passengers had been brought to safety. Arıklı transmitted these claims to the state Turkish news agency Anadolu.
Eyewitness Efe Mültici, who was in the lower deck according to his account, reported chaotic scenes to broadcaster CNN Türk: passengers had repeatedly warned the crew about water entering and requested a change of course. When the ship suddenly tilted to one side, many panicked and searched for life jackets. Some attempted to smash windows to escape outside. Another witness confirmed the chaos on board to Kıbrıs Postası. Videos from Anadolu Ajansı and on social media showed people on the tilted wreck waiting for rescue; a helicopter circled overhead.
Wreck lies at more than 500 metres depth
According to transport minister Arıklı, the sunken ship lies at more than 500 metres depth, which practically rules out direct inspection by divers. To clarify the cause of the accident, data from the ship's data recorder would be needed, Arıklı told broadcaster BRT. In addition to the ongoing police investigation, he announced a separate investigative commission; its findings on operating permit, seaworthiness and safety measures on board are to be made public afterwards.
Northern Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman confirmed to CNN Türk that the search for the 18 missing people continues. The Turkish coastguard is supporting the rescue operation, as Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz announced on the platform X. Relatives gathered outside the hospital in Girne and waited for news about their family members.
Condolences from Nicosia and Ankara
Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis wrote on X in Greek and Turkish: "Our thoughts are with the people who have lost their lives, with the injured and with everyone who has to endure this tragedy, as well as with their families in these extremely difficult hours." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
Northern Cyprus has been de facto separated from the south of the island since 1974 following a coup by nationalist Greek Cypriots and a subsequent Turkish military intervention. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, proclaimed in 1983, is internationally recognised only by Turkey; the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union as a whole in 2004.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung