Cyprus Ferry Death Toll Hits 12

The death toll from a ferry accident off northern Cyprus has risen to 12 after rescuers found two women’s bodies on Friday, with 16 people still missing.

The FiloJet ferry was carrying 267 people when it capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia port around midday on Sunday. Rescuers pulled 239 people to safety, while eight people were initially confirmed dead and 20 missing.

Authorities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said search teams have since recovered four more bodies, including two women found on Friday morning.

“The bodies of two more people have been recovered,” TRNC Prime Minister Unal Ustel wrote on X.

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He said search operations were continuing around the clock to find the remaining 16 missing passengers.

Cyprus ferry toll rises to 12 as two more bodies found (NC) — Cyprus ferry toll rises to 12 as two more bodies found. Credit: Cyprus Mail.

Specialist divers and naval drones are searching the wreck, which lies about 514 metres below the surface.

Two Turkish naval vessels equipped with underwater drones have been involved in the search since Wednesday morning.

Officials initially said the eight confirmed dead were Turkish nationals, while 18 of the 20 missing were also believed to be Turkish and two from northern Cyprus. Authorities have not released details about the nationalities of the four bodies recovered since Wednesday night.

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Investigators have also been unable to recover the ferry’s voyage data recorder, or “black box”, which could help determine what caused the accident.

The ferry’s captain and eight others were remanded in custody on Monday on negligent homicide charges.

At a second hearing in Kyrenia on Thursday, police investigators reportedly said the disaster could have been avoided if the captain had reduced speed and turned back when the ferry began taking on water.

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