01.09.2026 19:40
The fire of the ferry disaster off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has struck Mersin. As the bodies of Reyhan Verim, Specialist Sergeant Fahri Ateş, and Hüseyin Özdemir, who lost their lives in the disaster, were brought to their hometowns one by one, their relatives and loved ones were overwhelmed with tears. In the funeral ceremonies marked by pain and sorrow, the deceased were sent off on their final journey.
The bodies of Reyhan Verim and Specialist Sergeant Fahri Ateş, who lost their lives in the ferry disaster off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that killed 8 people, were brought to their hometown Mersin. Verim was laid to rest amid tears of her loved ones, while it was learned that Ateş's funeral will be held tomorrow after a ceremony.
REYHAN VERIM LAID TO REST AMID TEARS The body of 55-year-old Reyhan Verim, who lost her life when the passenger ship capsized while en route from Kyrenia to Mersin's Taşucu Port, was brought to Çukurova International Airport by plane last evening after the procedures were completed. Verim's body was then taken to the morgue of the City Cemetery in the Toroslar district.
A funeral ceremony was held for Reyhan Verim today at the City Cemetery. In addition to Verim's relatives, Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, Provincial Police Chief Fahri Aktaş, representatives of political parties, and many citizens attended the ceremony.
HER NEPHEW COULD BARELY STAND During the funeral prayer, it was observed that Verim's nephew Mert Baykal could not hold back his tears. At the ceremony where her relatives experienced great sorrow, Reyhan Verim was laid to rest accompanied by prayers.
THEY HAD GONE FOR VACATION It was learned that Reyhan Verim had gone to Cyprus for a vacation with her sister Seyran Kahveci and cousins Oya Oruç and Ayda Arkalı. It was stated that Verim lost her life when the ferry named Filo Jet capsized during the return trip.
Reyhan Verimli HÜSEYİN ÖZDEMİR ALSO BID FAREWELL Hüseyin Özdemir, who lost his life in the disaster, was also sent off on his final journey in his hometown of Silifke, Mersin.
Özdemir's body was brought to Mersin by air and then transported by road to the Nuru Neighborhood in the Silifke district. Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, Silifke District Governor Eyüp Fırat, Özdemir's relatives, the city protocol, and many citizens attended the funeral ceremony held there.
Hüseyin Özdemir After the funeral prayer was performed, Hüseyin Özdemir was laid to rest amid the tears of his relatives and loved ones.
It was stated that Özdemir boarded the ship, which departed from Kyrenia for Taşucu on August 30, together with his wife Şerif Özdemir, and that Şerif Özdemir went missing after the disaster and search efforts are ongoing.
SPECIALIST SERGEANT FAHRİ ATEŞ'S BODY ALSO IN MERSİN Another person from Mersin who lost his life in the disaster was Specialist Sergeant Fahri Ateş. Ateş, who was from the Çerçili Neighborhood in the Erdemli district, had his body brought to Çukurova International Airport by plane today.
Ateş's body was then taken by road to Erdemli and placed in the morgue of Erdemli State Hospital. His wife Ayça Ateş, family, and relatives, who received the sad news, burst into tears in front of the hospital.
It was reported that Fahri Ateş's funeral will be sent off on his final journey tomorrow after a ceremony to be held in the Çerçili Neighborhood.
HE WENT BACK INSIDE AFTER SAVING HIS WIFE AND CHILD It was learned that during the disaster, Fahri Ateş brought his wife and child to the deck, then re-entered the ferry to find a life jacket for himself. It was stated that Ateş lost his life when the ship capsized during this time.
Fahri Ateş Eight people lost their lives in the Filo Jet, which took on water and capsized shortly after departing from Kyrenia Port on August 30, while search efforts continue for 20 missing people.