Day 13 of Kyrenia Ferry Disaster: 14 People Still Missing

No official announcement has been made of any new bodies being recovered, while the new deep-sea search vessel dispatched from Istanbul is expected to arrive in Cyprus on Sunday evening and begin operations on Monday.

Efforts to locate those still missing from the Filo Jet passenger ferry, which capsized and sank shortly after leaving Kyrenia Tourism Port on August 30 for its scheduled Kyrenia-Taşucu voyage, are continuing.

No new bodies were recovered in searches conducted from last night through this morning. According to the latest official figures, the bodies of 14 of the 28 people reported missing in the disaster have been recovered, while 14 remain missing.

The wreck of the Filo Jet lies at a depth of approximately 554 metres. According to the latest statement from the Department of Information, search operations around the wreck are continuing 24/7 with the participation of maritime and aerial units.

Military aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters are being used in the search, alongside private companies with expertise in deep-sea operations and the necessary technical capabilities.

Speaking at an extraordinary session of the Republican Assembly, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said talks had been held with two specialist companies in Turkey and that, following technical assessments, a decision was made to send another vessel to the area.

According to Üstel, the new deep-sea search vessel, which has departed from Istanbul, is expected to reach Cyprus on Sunday evening, September 13, and begin operations on Monday, September 14.

Technical experts from Turkey have also begun working in the area, it was reported.

A significant step was also taken in the Republican Assembly yesterday evening over the Filo Jet disaster.

Two separate parliamentary investigation motions submitted by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the National Unity Party (UBP)-Democratic Party (DP) were unanimously approved to investigate the causes of the disaster, the vessel’s licensing and inspection procedures, and possible negligence and administrative responsibility.

A five-member investigation committee has consequently been formally established.

UBP will be represented on the committee by Sunat Atun, Resmiye Eroğlu CANALTAY and Hasan Küçük, while CTP will be represented by Fikri Toros and Teberrüken Uluçay.

The General Assembly also unanimously approved the motions establishing the committee.

Prime Minister Üstel said the judicial investigation being conducted by police was continuing, alongside administrative investigations.

Information and findings obtained from the vessel’s history, the day of the disaster and the subsequent response will be shared with the parliamentary investigation committee, it was stated.