31.08.2026 16:01
It has emerged that the 'Filo Jet', which killed 8 people off the coast of Kyrenia, also had an accident in Turkey 12 years ago and was not used until 2024. While statements have been taken from more than 100 people in the investigation, complaints that the crew did not help passengers and did not distribute life jackets are being examined. Port authorities who allowed the ship to sail have been suspended from duty.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) shared the latest information regarding the search and rescue efforts and the judicial and administrative investigations carried out following the maritime disaster off the coast of Kyrenia. Stating that one of the most painful disasters in the history of the TRNC had occurred, Üstel emphasized that all state resources had been mobilized with the support of the Republic of Turkey and that they had personally coordinated the efforts at Kyrenia Port together with the crisis team.
15 SHIPS JOINED SEARCH ACTIVITIES
Stating that search and rescue activities were continuing uninterrupted on a 24/7 basis from the air, sea, and land, Üstel announced that 15 ships had joined the efforts from the sea. Noting that the mission areas were planned taking into account sea currents and possible drift zones, Üstel stated that 8 helicopters from the air were operating in two groups on a rotating basis and that UAVs were continuously scanning the region. It was also reported that teams from the Police General Directorate were continuing comprehensive search activities along the eastern and western coastlines of Kyrenia.
SAT COMMANDOS FROM TURKEY JOINED THE EFFORTS
Stating that Underwater Attack (SAT) commandos from Turkey had also joined the search and rescue efforts, Üstel stated that together with the additional search vessel expected to arrive in the region tomorrow, the SAT commandos would make a significant contribution to the underwater operations.
"RAPID RESPONSE PREVENTED A MUCH WORSE PICTURE"
Emphasizing that thanks to the accident occurring at a point close to the shore, the teams reached the scene in a very short time, Üstel said, "Thanks to the rapid response carried out by the Coast Guard, security forces, and Civil Defense units from the very first moment, a large number of people were rescued alive. If the accident had occurred at a point farther from the shore, the response time could have been longer. We assess that the rapid response in the first moments prevented a much worse picture from emerging."
PORT OFFICIALS SUSPENDED FROM DUTY
Drawing attention to the fact that judicial and administrative processes were being carried out meticulously to shed light on all aspects of the disaster, Prime Minister Üstel announced that the relevant port officials who permitted the sunken ship to set sail had been suspended from duty, an investigation had been launched against them, and new responsible persons had been appointed in their places.
"THIS DISASTER WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED"
Stressing that no concessions would be made during the investigation process, Üstel said, "Whoever has negligence, fault, or responsibility in this disaster will be revealed. Whoever is found responsible, regardless of who they are, will be held accountable before justice, and this disaster will not go unpunished. Our search and rescue efforts will continue until the end, day and night," and offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
THE SUNKEN SHIP HAD AN ACCIDENT 12 YEARS AGO
Meanwhile, striking negligence allegations and background information regarding the ship named "Filo Jet," owned by Filo Denizcilik, have come to light in the ongoing police investigation. Inspector Assistant Mehmet Mannaş stated that the ship involved in the accident had also been involved in an accident in Turkey 12 years ago and had not been used until 2024. Noting that the ship was purchased by Filo Denizcilik in 2024, Mannaş stated that statements from more than 100 people have been taken so far.
According to preliminary findings; although there were sufficient life jackets and lifeboats on the ship, it was reported that intense complaints were received from passengers that the crew did not assist passengers during the crisis, did not distribute life jackets, and did not take part at the evacuation exits, showing serious negligence in the command and control of the ship.