A passenger ferry operated by Filo Jet / Filo Denizcilik capsized this afternoon shortly after leaving Girne (Kyrenia) Port in Northern Cyprus, bound for Taşucu in Mersin, Turkey.
The vessel, a catamaran-type Express passenger ship, began taking on water a short distance from shore (reports place it roughly 2–4 km / about 4 nautical miles off the coast, near Diana Beach). The captain tried to turn back toward port but the ship capsized and overturned. Passengers were seen on the upturned hull waiting for rescue; some jumped into the water.
Official figures have varied slightly in early reporting. The most consistent official count is 259 passengers and 8 crew (267 people total). Some officials and early reports cited around 270.
Coast Guard boats, civilian and private vessels, helicopters, and other ships are involved. Ambulances and hospitals in the Girne area were placed on alert. Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul described the situation as “very serious.” Later updates from the mayor and other officials said about 159–160 people had been reached and were being brought to the port, with rescue still underway. Rescued passengers were being transferred toward Girne Port and hospitals. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı went to the scene.
The cause of the flooding has not been confirmed. Weather was reported as poor. No official death toll had been released in the reports available at the time of these updates; the operation was still active.
This is a developing incident.
