Ayten Bicer said her 12‑year‑old daughter slipped from her grasp as a passenger ferry, the Filo Jet, capsized off the coast of Kyrenia, a town in the Turkish‑recognised northern part of Cyprus. Eight people were killed, and 20 others, including Bicer’s two children, are missing. The vessel, carrying 259 passengers and eight crew, sank after two large waves hit it near the shoreline and it began taking on water. The wreck lies at a depth of 514 metre, and debris such as a black suitcase and a steel sheet have been seen floating on the sea surface.
Survivors, including the Bicer family, are holding out hope for news of missing relatives from the port. Rescue teams continue to search for the capsized vessel’s black‑box recorder to uncover what happened. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared a three‑day period of mourning following the tragedy. Officials arrested eight crew members, including the ship’s captain, three days after the incident, and have issued warrants for others. The incident is part of a broader pattern of maritime accidents in the region and has prompted further rescue efforts, with a rescue ship expected from Turkey the following day.
Ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus, leaving two children missing
Ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus, leaving two children missing
A passenger ferry sank off Kyrenia, killing eight and leaving 20 people missing, including two children.
A high‑speed passenger ferry went down near Kyrenia in the Turkish‑recognised part of Cyprus after being hit by two large waves. Eight people were killed and 20 others remain missing, among them 12‑year‑old Miray and six‑year‑old Memhet Asaf Bicer. Survivors are waiting in the port for news of relatives as authorities dig for wreckage and a black‑box recorder. The incident has sparked a three‑day period of national mourning and arrests of several crew members.
