Cyprus Ferry Toll Rises to 12 After Two More Bodies Are Found

The bodies of two women recovered from a ferry wreck off northern Cyprus have raised the death toll to 12. Sixteen people are still missing, and rescuers continue searching the vessel around the clock.

The FiloJet was carrying 267 people when it capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia port around midday on Sunday. Rescuers brought 239 people to safety, while the initial count listed eight dead and 20 missing. Officials said they believed those missing had gone down with the ship.

Four more bodies have since been recovered, including the two found on Friday morning, according to authorities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Ankara. Prime Minister Unal Ustel said on X that both latest victims were women and that search operations were continuing “24/7 in order to reach our 16 missing people.”

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The bodies of two more people have been recovered

Specialist divers and naval drones are probing the wreck at a depth of 514 meters. Two Turkish naval vessels equipped with underwater drones have joined the operation since Wednesday morning. Investigators have not yet retrieved the ferry’s voyage data recorder, or black box, which could clarify what caused the vessel to capsize.

The captain and eight other people were remanded in custody on negligent homicide charges. At a second hearing in Kyrenia on Thursday, police investigators said the disaster could have been avoided if the captain had slowed down and carefully turned back to port after the ferry began taking on water.

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Search operations are continuing 24/7 in order to reach our 16 missing people