Turkish military deploys submersible drones to search ferry wreck
Turkish military submersible drones deployed to search ferry wreck and locate missing persons.
Event / Disaster
Filo Jet Ferry Capsizing Cyprus
Passenger ferry Filo Jet capsized near Kyrenia on August 30, 2026, while traveling from Cyprus to Turkey with 267 people aboard. At least 8 died, 237 were rescued, and 23-24 remain missing. The vessel sank at 514 meters depth after taking on water in adverse weather. Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities conducted rescue operations.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
5 articles0 articles
2026-08-31 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Aug, 01:46 UTC
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What happened
Ferry captain held in custody pending investigation
The captain of the Filo Jet, along with seven crew members and a company official, was placed in provisional detention. The captain told a judge that the ferry's bow broke due to waves shortly after departing from Kyrenia, leading to the sinking.
Ferry Filo Jet sinks off northern Cyprus with 28 people aboard
The Filo Jet, a high-speed catamaran ferry operating between northern Cyprus and Turkey, sank on Sunday at a depth of 550 meters. The vessel was carrying 28 people total. Eight Turkish passengers' bodies were recovered in the hours following the sinking.
Causes of ferry sinking remain under investigation
The exact causes of the Filo Jet sinking remain to be determined. Initial accounts from the captain indicate structural failure due to wave action, but a full investigation is ongoing.
Turkish military vessels deploy submersible drones to search wreck
Two Turkish military ships were deployed to the search area on Tuesday and Wednesday. The vessels are equipped with submersible drones capable of diving to 1,000 meters depth to map the area around the sunken ferry and locate the missing persons.
Twenty people missing after ferry sinking near northern Cyprus
Twenty people remain missing following the sinking of the Filo Jet ferry. Authorities believe the missing persons are trapped inside the wreck at 550 meters depth.
237 people rescued from capsized ferry off Cyprus
237 people were rescued from the Filo Jet after it capsized. None of the rescued individuals were reported to be in critical condition according to Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel.
Ferry Filo Jet capsizes off northern Cyprus with 267 people aboard
The passenger ferry Filo Jet, carrying 267 people (259 passengers and 8 crew), capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday. The vessel was traveling from Kyrenia in northern Cyprus to Tasucu in Turkey when it began taking on water approximately 4 nautical miles (7.5 kilometers) off the coast near Diana Beach, shortly after departure.
Turkish and Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels deployed for rescue operations
Four Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels, five Turkish coastguard vessels, two helicopters, and a civilian passenger boat were deployed to the disaster scene to conduct rescue operations following the Filo Jet capsizing.
Turkish Cypriot captain and seven crew detained for questioning
Turkish Cypriot authorities detained the captain of the Filo Jet and seven crew members for questioning following the capsizing incident.
At least 8 people confirmed dead in Cyprus ferry disaster
At least 8 people died in the Filo Jet capsizing. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel initially reported 7 deaths, while later reports confirmed at least 8 fatalities from the incident.
Capsized ferry sank at depth of 514 meters
By late afternoon on Sunday, the Filo Jet had completely sunk, settling on the seabed at a depth of 514 meters. Turkish Cypriot authorities indicated that reaching any potential survivors still inside the vessel would be difficult due to the depth.
23 to 24 people missing following Cyprus ferry capsizing
Between 23 and 24 people remain missing following the Filo Jet capsizing. Search and rescue operations continued as authorities worked to locate the missing individuals.
Turkish President Erdogan offers condolences and coordinates rescue efforts
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences to those affected by the ferry disaster and stated that his government was coordinating with Northern Cyprus in search and rescue efforts. Erdogan expressed hope for positive news from ongoing rescue operations.
Cyprus internationally recognized government offers assistance in rescue efforts
Cyprus's internationally recognized government, through spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis, expressed readiness to assist in search and rescue efforts with all available means. The government expressed sympathy for those who lost their lives, were injured, or were affected by the tragedy.
Ferry took on water 15 minutes after departure during adverse weather
The Filo Jet began taking on water approximately 15 minutes after departing from Kyrenia port. Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel attributed the incident to adverse weather conditions. Survivors reported the vessel moving erratically, with impacts against the water surface breaking the bow of the catamaran-style ferry and allowing water to seep in.
Turkish divers deployed to assist in search operations
Turkish Cypriot authorities announced that divers from Turkey would be assisting in the search and rescue operations for the missing individuals from the Filo Jet capsizing.
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2 alternative perspectives
Ferry captain detained as investigation into capsizing begins
Ferry captain detained as investigation into capsizing causes begins.
Turkey and Cyprus coordinate response to ferry disaster
Turkey and Cyprus coordinated diplomatic efforts following the ferry capsizing.
237 rescued, 8 dead, 23-24 missing in Cyprus ferry disaster
Rescue efforts yielded 237 survivors; 8 confirmed dead and 23-24 remain missing from capsizing.
Ferry Filo Jet capsizes off Cyprus with 267 people aboard
Ferry Filo Jet capsized off Cyprus with 267 aboard after taking on water during adverse weather.