Passenger ferry FILOJET capsized and later sank off Kyrenia, northern Cyprus on August 30, 2026 while sailing to Taşucu, Türkiye. Authorities said
267 people were aboard. The latest verified evening update reported 242
rescued, eight dead, and 17 still missing, with search-and-rescue work
continuing.
Incident Timeline
Departure:
FILOJET departed Kyrenia around midday for Taşucu
with 259 passengers and eight crew members.
Distress
phase: The ferry began taking on water
approximately two kilometres north of the coast of Kyrenia and issued a
distress call.
Rescue
response: Coast guard, helicopter and civilian passenger boat assets converged on the casualty. Survivors
were brought to Kyrenia for medical assessment.
Latest update: The verified toll was revised to 242 rescued, eight dead, and 17
missing. Authorities said the wreck had settled at a reported depth of about
514 metres, complicating underwater access.
Incident Factors
Reports agree that water ingress preceded
the capsize, but no completed technical investigation had established the
initiating failure. Public statements differed over whether sea conditions were
a material factor.
