The ferry Filo Jet capsized on Sunday, August 30, shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia (Girne) heading towards the Turkish town of Taşucu. There were 259 passengers and eight crew members on board the catamaran, reports [Entrevue](https://entrevue.fr/ru/accidents-et-catastrophes-monde/video-naufrage-a-chypre-des-images-montrent-des-passagers-pieges-tentant-desesperement-de-sechapper-comme-sur-le-titanic/). Videos released after the tragedy show how quickly the situation spiraled out of control. As the vessel began to take on water and list heavily, passengers, including women and children, tried to put on life jackets and make their way to the exits. According to survivors, moving around the tilted vessel became increasingly difficult, and the evacuation was chaotic. Some people found it particularly hard to escape from the interior spaces before the ferry capsized. In other footage taken after the Filo Jet overturned, dozens of survivors cling to the overturned hull. Some of them are wearing life jackets. Rescue boats and helicopters were dispatched to the scene of the disaster. ### Water began to enter soon after leaving the port Filo Jet departed from Kyrenia around 12:30. It was reported that just a few minutes later, passengers noticed water coming in and alerted the crew. The catamaran then began to behave erratically and hit the water's surface hard. Some survivors claim that the bow of the vessel opened or was damaged, causing water to flood in particularly rapidly. Others reported a loud noise shortly before the capsizing. What exactly happened to the front of the ferry has not yet been established. According to available information, the captain attempted to turn the vessel around and return to Kyrenia, but the Filo Jet quickly listed, capsized, and then sank completely. ### Number of missing persons being clarified According to the latest figures provided in the publication, at least eight people have died. However, the exact number of missing persons has not yet been determined. Initially, 17 people were reported missing. Later, there were reports of 18 individuals, and after further cross-checking of passenger lists, it was revealed that the fate of up to 20 people may remain unknown. Among the missing are children. Relatives of the passengers gathered near the port of Kyrenia and hospitals waiting for information. ### The ferry is at a depth of over 500 meters After the crash, the Filo Jet sank at a depth of about 514 meters, significantly complicating the examination of its interior. The search and rescue operation involves the naval and air forces of Northern Cyprus and Turkey, including ships, helicopters, drones, and underwater operation specialists. ### Captain and crew detained After the disaster, the captain and crew members were detained to clarify the circumstances of what happened. The investigation will need to determine why the catamaran began to take on water so quickly and how well the evacuation was organized. Investigators are also looking into how the crew responded to the initial warnings from passengers and what technical malfunction may have led to such rapid flooding. According to available information, the Filo Jet had a valid seaworthiness certificate, and the vessel underwent inspection about two months before the disaster. The ship's recording equipment could be a crucial source of information. However, retrieving it from the sunken ferry will be challenging, as the wreckage is located at a depth of over half a kilometer.
