KYRENIA, Northern Cyprus — A major search and rescue operation is continuing after the Filo Jet passenger ferry capsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 23 missing. Officials say 237 people have been rescued from the 267 passengers and crew who were on board.
The high-speed vessel was travelling from Kyrenia, also known as Girne, to Taşucu in Turkey’s Mersin province when it began taking on water near the northern Cypriot coast. Boats, helicopters and naval vessels were deployed as the emergency unfolded.
At least 6 dead after ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsizes off northern Cyprus https://t.co/YzYoqhN1Yk
— A. Glaucs (@owlofbeacon) August 30, 2026
What happened to the Filo Jet ferry?
Filo Jet was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said the vessel encountered difficult weather conditions and began taking on water shortly after leaving port.
The ferry got into trouble about four nautical miles, roughly 7.5 kilometres, from Kyrenia Port. Kyrenia Mayor Murat Şenkul said the vessel sank off the Diana Beach area.
Footage from the scene showed the ferry lying on its side in choppy water. Passengers wearing life jackets could be seen on the exposed section of the vessel and in the sea as rescue boats approached.
Seven dead as search continues for 23 people
The latest official accounting lists seven deaths, 237 people rescued and 23 still missing. Earlier reports carried slightly different figures while authorities worked to confirm how many people had been located.
None of those rescued was reported to be in critical condition at the time of the update, although some survivors were taken to hospital for assessment.
Capsizes can require an immediate response because passengers may quickly become separated from a vessel. A recent boat capsize near the Statue of Liberty similarly required marine, aviation and emergency teams to recover passengers from the water.
Filo Jet route and vessel details
MarineTraffic data cited in reports showed Filo Jet leaving Kyrenia at 11:58 local time on Sunday. It was scheduled to arrive at Taşucu at 17:52 local time after crossing the eastern Mediterranean toward Turkey.
The Turkish-flagged high-speed craft is approximately 40 metres long and 10 metres wide. Operator Filo Denizcilik said it was deeply saddened by the accident and had mobilised resources to coordinate with search and rescue teams.
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Large rescue response deployed off Kyrenia
Turkey’s Interior Ministry said four Northern Cyprus Coast Guard vessels and the passenger ship AKGÜNLER 3 were initially deployed. Turkey later sent five additional Coast Guard vessels and two helicopters, while six naval vessels were assigned to support the operation.
Survivors were brought back to Kyrenia by rescue boats and helicopters, with ambulances waiting at the harbour. Filo Denizcilik also established a hotline to provide information to passengers’ relatives.
Open-water searches can become increasingly difficult as currents, weather and visibility change. Those challenges were also evident during a large-scale cruise ship search near Brisbane, where aircraft and multiple vessels were deployed across a wide area.
Why did the Cyprus ferry capsize?
Officials have cited adverse weather and confirmed that Filo Jet began taking on water, but the exact technical cause of the capsize has not yet been established. According to the Associated Press, the vessel began taking on water about 15 minutes after departure and a call for help was issued soon afterwards.
Taking on water explains how the emergency developed, but it does not establish why the vessel flooded or overturned. Investigators will need to examine its condition, equipment, weather, operating circumstances and other available evidence before determining the cause.
Search remains focused on missing passengers
Authorities remain focused on locating the 23 people still unaccounted for as vessels and aircraft search the waters around the capsize site. Northern Cyprus and Turkish authorities are coordinating the operation while confirmed information continues to be released.
Because this remains an active rescue operation, casualty and missing-person figures could change as authorities receive new information.
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