Eight dead and dozens missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus

A ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday, killing at least eight people and leaving around 20 passengers missing, according to authorities. The vessel, the Filo Jet, was en route from the port of Kyrenia to Tasucu in Turkey when it began to list after a leak was reported.

Survivors said the ship tilted rapidly after the captain attempted to return to Kyrenia. Passengers described loud noises from below decks, followed by panic as the vessel took on water. One survivor, Serkan Kunduraci, escaped through a broken window and recounted seeing children and non-swimmers drown.

"I saw some who didn’t know how to swim die in the sea," Kunduraci told DHA.

"There were those who, in a panic, didn’t grab life jackets. Some jumped into the sea immediately out of fear," he added.

Another passenger, Deniz Ozpolat, said doors were closed, preventing access to life jackets, and that people were forced to break windows to escape.

"We headed toward the exit. A crush of people had already formed. We couldn’t find the life jackets. They shut the doors on us and we couldn’t get out," Ozpolat said.

Rescue boats arrived quickly, but crews reported they were overwhelmed by the number of people in the water.

"We tried to do more than we could. People were saying, ‘Take me too, take me too,’ but the capacity was full," said Muhammed Ozcelik, who operates a water-sports company that was among the first to reach the scene.

Eight crew members and a company director were detained and appeared in a northern Cypriot court on charges of causing death through negligence. Prime Minister Unal Ustel said officials responsible for authorising the voyage had been dismissed and that all operations of the ferry company were suspended.

"Even the slightest negligence will be uncovered. Whoever is found to be at fault or responsible will not be spared," Ustel said.

Turkish Cypriot transport officials noted the ferry was sailing at about 60% of its capacity and that sufficient life vests were on board. A remotely operated submarine is planned to inspect the wreck, which lies at a depth of about 500 meters.