Ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus, leaving at least eight dead and crew arrested
A high-speed ferry carrying about 270 passengers and crew capsized off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday, leaving at least eight people dead. The vessel, Filo Jet, went down near Diana Beach shortly after departing Kyrenia for Tasucu in Turkiye. Passengers were seen scrambling for life jackets as the ferry sank, according to video and survivor accounts.
Sponsored
Authorities said the captain and seven crew members have been arrested as inquiries continue into the capsizing. Survivors described the ferry moving violently before it suddenly lifted and slammed back into the water, after which the front left side reportedly burst open and water poured in. One survivor said the vessel had been shaking badly for several minutes before the impact that caused the breach.
The incident unfolded during severe storm conditions affecting Cyprus over the weekend. Officials also reported that at least three yachts crashed into rocks on the island's southern coast, although authorities had judged the weather on Sunday safe enough for sailing. The scale of the emergency has raised questions about decision-making before departure and the conditions the ferry encountered at sea.
The sinking is significant because it involves a busy cross-border route in the eastern Mediterranean and a vessel carrying a large number of passengers and crew. Kyrenia and Tasucu are linked by regular maritime traffic, and any disruption on this route can quickly become a wider transport and safety issue. The arrests suggest investigators are focusing not only on the weather but also on possible operational or safety failures.
Sponsored
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said he was deeply saddened by the sinking and described the situation as shocking for local communities. He said efforts were under way to use technology to reach passengers still trapped in the vessel, and he spoke from a crisis centre as the response continued. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered condolences and said efforts to reach those still missing were continuing without interruption.
What remains unclear is how many people may still be unaccounted for and what exactly caused the ferry to capsize so quickly. Investigators have not yet publicly set out whether the storm, the vessel's condition, or another factor was decisive. The next developments are likely to come from rescue updates, forensic examination of the ferry, and any formal findings from the inquiry into the arrests.
Sponsored
