ISTANBUL (AP) — A ferry bound for Turkey from the northern Cypriot port of Kyrenia capsized on Sunday, killing at least eight people and leaving 20 passengers still missing. The vessel, the Filo Jet, was carrying 267 passengers and crew when it began to list and take on water after loud noises were heard from below deck.
Survivors recount terror and panic
Eyewitness Serkan Kunduraci escaped through a broken window and said he saw children and other passengers drowning about 7.5 kilometers off the Cypriot coast. “I saw some who didn’t know how to swim die in the sea,” he told Turkey’s DHA news agency. “There were those who, in a panic, didn’t grab life jackets. Some jumped into the sea immediately out of fear.”
Another survivor, Deniz Ozpolat, described a crush of people trying to reach an exit that was blocked. “We couldn’t find the life jackets. They shut the doors on us and we couldn’t get out,” he said. “They opened them later. We jumped into the water.”
Families torn apart
Among the missing are a 12‑year‑old girl and her 6‑year‑old brother. Their mother, Ayten Bicer, told DHA that her daughter slipped from her grasp when a suitcase fell. “My daughter slipped from my hand,” Bicer said.
Rescuer Muhammed Ozcelik, who runs a water‑sports company, said his boat was among the first on the scene. “People were saying, ‘Take me too, take me too,’ but the capacity was full,” he said, adding that many were fighting for their lives as they awaited rescue.
Authorities respond
The eight crew members and a director of the operating company, Filo Denizcilik, appeared in a northern Cypriot court on charges of causing death through negligence and carelessness. They were detained for an additional three days.
Prime Minister of the Turkish‑controlled north, Unal Ustel, said the investigation would uncover any negligence and that those responsible would not be spared. He also announced that the port officials who authorized the voyage had been dismissed and that all operations of Filo Denizcilik were suspended.
Transport Minister Erhan Arikli stated the ferry was sailing at about 60% capacity and that enough life vests were on board for all passengers. An inspection of the sunken vessel is hampered by a depth of roughly 500 meters, but a remotely operated submarine from Turkey is expected to arrive Tuesday to search for bodies.
Background
Cyprus remains divided since 1974, with the Turkish‑Cypriot north declared independent in 1983 and recognized only by Turkey, which maintains a military presence of more than 35,000 troops in the region.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
