Eight people have died and 18 remain missing after the fast passenger ferry Filo Jet capsized off the coast of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus, leading to the arrest and court appearance of the captain and eight other crew members and company staff.
The vessel's captain, identified in court as M.Ö., appeared before a local court in Kyrenia alongside seven crew members and an employee of the operating company following the fatal maritime disaster. Authorities in northern Cyprus initiated judicial proceedings to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and determine potential criminal liability for the deaths.
Following the verification of the defendants' identities, the presiding judge ordered seven of the individuals held in connection with allegations of causing death by negligence. Court proceedings were scheduled to resume later in the morning at 11:30 with the further presentation of the suspects.
Ferry overturns during return attempt
In testimony delivered to the court, the captain and crew members asserted that the disaster began when the front section of the vessel sustained structural damage from ocean waves. The captain explicitly stated in his testimony that the bow had broken under the force of the waves shortly after sailing.
Crew members maintained during their initial statements that meteorological conditions were good at the time of departure from the harbor. They further testified that the passenger vessel held all required operating permits and navigation licenses necessary for commercial service.
The Filo Jet, a high-speed passenger ferry that operates regular trips between Kyrenia and the port of Tasucu in Mersin, southern Turkey, departed from Kyrenia harbour on Sunday afternoon. Shortly after leaving the port, the vessel began taking on water rapidly in its forward section.
Investigators gather technical evidence
Upon discovering the water ingress, the crew attempted to maneuver the ferry back toward the safety of Kyrenia harbour. However, the vessel capsized during the attempt to return to port, throwing passengers and crew into the sea.
A total of 267 people were on board the vessel at the time of the incident, comprising 259 passengers and eight crew members. Search and rescue teams successfully brought 241 survivors ashore, while eight people were confirmed dead and operations continue to locate the 18 missing individuals.
Judicial authorities conducting the hearing ordered the collection of additional evidence to clarify the exact causes of the shipwreck and evaluate whether operational failures or negligence occurred. The court specified that investigators must gather detailed technical data regarding the ship's condition and take statements from additional witnesses.
Maritime corridor linking Cyprus and Turkey
The court also instructed officials to obtain official updates regarding any related investigations initiated by authorities in Turkey, alongside the completion of all required legal case documentation before proceedings move forward.
Kyrenia is a major coastal town and port located on the northern shore of Cyprus. The sea route between Kyrenia and Tasucu, a port town situated in the Mersin province of southern Turkey, serves as one of the main maritime connections between northern Cyprus and the Turkish mainland across the eastern Mediterranean.
The judicial hearing in Kyrenia is set to continue as rescue teams maintain search efforts off the northern Cypriot coastline for the missing passengers.
