Filo Jet catamaran capsized off Girne, resulting in 8 fatalities and 18 missing. Search operations continue for survivors.
Catamaran disaster off Girne: 8 dead, 18 missing
As a result of the capsizing and sinking of the catamaran-type passenger ship named Filo Jet, which was operating on the Girne-Taşucu route off the coast of Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), 8 people lost their lives. Of the 267 people on board, 241 were rescued, while search and rescue operations continue for 18 individuals. Following the incident, the ship's captain and 7 crew members were detained, and a detention order was issued for the captain.
The Filo Jet, owned by Filo Shipping, departed from Girne for Mersin's Taşucu Port on Sunday, August 30. Shortly after the voyage began, the vessel started taking on water off the coast of Girne. Despite the intervention of teams, the catamaran capsized and sank within a short period.
In a statement by the TRNC Ministry of Interior, it was reported that there were a total of 267 people on board, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members. Although different figures were shared in the initial hours, subsequent statements from officials confirmed the number of 267.
Death toll rises to 8
As a result of intensive search and rescue operations initiated from the sea and air, 241 individuals were rescued. However, 8 people lost their lives in the disaster. Reports indicate that 18 individuals are still missing.
Search efforts continue in the area with the involvement of coast guard units and helicopters from Turkey and the TRNC. It has been noted that the operation is being conducted under extremely challenging conditions due to the depth of the area where the ship sank.
The ship was reported to have settled on the seabed at a depth of approximately 514 meters. This depth exceeds what can be managed with conventional diving methods, necessitating the use of specialized deep-sea equipment to reach the wreck.
Turkey provides deep-sea search support
Following the incident, Turkey expanded its support for search and rescue operations. The Turkish Navy's TCG IŞIN has been directed to the region.
The deep-sea search vessel is expected to reach the wreck at a depth of approximately 514 meters using an underwater robot and to conduct operations aimed at locating the ship's voyage data recorder (VDR/black box). The ship is reported to be equipped with systems capable of operating at depths of up to one thousand meters.
Finding the black box is critically important for determining the cause of the accident. It is believed that records regarding why and from which part the ship took on water, how quickly the flooding occurred, and how the capsizing process unfolded could provide significant data.
Captain and 7 crew members arrested
As part of the judicial investigation initiated after the accident, the ship's captain and 7 crew members were detained.
TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stated that the investigation would cover all details related to the sinking of the ship and that allegations of possible negligence would be investigated. It was later reported that the captain had been arrested.
Key topics of the investigation include the conditions under which the ship set sail, its technical status, the cause of flooding, the crew's response during the incident, and how the evacuation of passengers was carried out.
Claims of 'The ship is taking on water' warning
Accounts from some passengers who survived the disaster may change the course of the investigation.
Some passengers claimed they noticed the ship taking on water before it capsized and reported the situation to the crew. According to the passengers' accounts, there was significant activity on the ship shortly thereafter. Some survivors indicated that water ingress accelerated following damage at the front of the ship.
The accuracy of these claims will be revealed upon the completion of the official investigation. Authorities state that technical examinations must be completed to make a definitive assessment regarding the cause of the accident.
Ship at approximately 514 meters depth
The depth at which Filo Jet settled on the seabed has become one of the most critical elements of the search and rescue operation.
The approximately 514-meter depth complicates the determination of whether missing passengers are still inside the ship. Authorities plan to use remotely operated underwater vehicles to reach the wreck and assess the ship's condition.
Visualizing the wreck is important not only for locating missing persons but also for investigating the technical causes of the accident. Details such as which part of the ship was damaged, how the hull integrity was compromised, and the ship's position during the sinking could be revealed through underwater imaging.
The ship was inspected two months ago
Another significant topic that has emerged following the accident is the technical inspection history of Filo Jet.
TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı announced that the ship was inspected by Turkish Lloyd at the Mediterranean Shipyard approximately two months before the accident.
This information indicates that the investigation will focus not only on the moment the accident occurred but also on the ship's technical and operational history. The ship's certificates, maintenance records, recent inspection reports, the condition of the hull and watertight compartments, and all pre-voyage checks may be subject to examination.
Marine and weather conditions are also being investigated
The weather and sea conditions in the area on the day Filo Jet sank are also among the topics of the investigation.
According to initial assessments by authorities, the conditions were deemed suitable for the voyage at the time the ship set sail, although the adverse weather conditions that affected the region the previous day have also been a topic of discussion. However, current information does not confirm that weather conditions were the direct cause of the accident.
Therefore, it seems impossible to provide a definitive explanation for the cause without evaluating the weather, sea conditions, and the ship's operational circumstances together.
Three-day national mourning in the TRNC
Following the disaster, the TRNC Council of Ministers declared a three-day national mourning period from August 31 to September 2, 2026.
TRNC President Tufan Erhürman also issued a condolence message for the deceased, while it was reported that Turkey's support for search and rescue efforts continues.
Families wait at the port and hospitals
In the aftermath of the disaster, families are continuing to wait in Girne. Some of the rescued passengers are receiving treatment in hospitals, while relatives of the missing individuals are awaiting news.
In the next phase of the search and rescue operations, reaching the 18 missing individuals and subsequently conducting a technical examination of the wreck are priorities.
The cause of the accident has not yet been confirmed
At this stage, there is no definitive technical finding regarding why Filo Jet sank.
Current information indicates that the ship began taking on water shortly after the voyage began and subsequently capsized, sinking to a depth of approximately 514 meters. However, questions regarding the source of water ingress, why the ship lost stability so quickly, and whether the crew's response was sufficient remain unanswered.
As a result, passenger statements, the ship's maintenance and inspection records, VDR data, and underwater examinations of the wreck will form the key elements of the investigation.
As of the morning of August 31, the toll of the disaster stands at 8 fatalities, 241 rescued, and 18 missing. While the search and rescue operation continues, it is expected that with the activation of Turkey's deep-sea search capacity, efforts will intensify in the coming hours to locate the wreck and the missing individuals.
Note: In the initial hours, different figures of 267 and 279 were circulated. Updated and more reliable statements indicate a total of 259 passengers + 8 crew = 267 individuals. Additionally, while some sources report the number of missing as 17, current Reuters and TRNC sources indicate 18 missing individuals.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
