Conflict · Cyprus ferry disaster8 Dead, 18 Missing as Ferry Capsizes Off CyprusAired September 1, 2026 at 1:14 AM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Eight people are dead and eighteen remain missing after a ferry capsized off Cyprus.0:05267 people were aboard the catamaran, and leaders here are calling it the worst0:10maritime disaster in Cyprus's history.0:12The official account blames successive waves.0:15Survivors describe a ruptured bow, which is right, is what the investigation must0:19answer.0:19The vessel was the Philo Jet, a Turkish-flagged, high-speed catamaran about 400:24meters long, run by Philo Denisilik on the regular crossing from Kyrinia to Tashuku0:29on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.0:31On board were 267 people.0:33Eight are confirmed dead.0:35241 were pulled from the water, and 18 are still unaccounted for.0:39A figure some tallies the next day put at 19 to 20, as the count is reconciled.0:43The crossing was already a day late before it ever hit the water.0:47Scheduled for the 29th, the ferry was held back a day by storms and left Kyrenia0:52around noon on the 30th.0:53Six kilometers offshore, near Diana Beach, a first wave struck, then a second.0:58And water poured in as the captain tried to turn back toward port.1:01The ferry listed, capsized, and went down in deep water.1:04The cause is not settled, and the heart of the dispute is where the water came from.1:08Officials point to severe weather and successive waves, and the idea of a collision1:12with a semi-submerged container has been floated only as speculation.1:16But survivors describe a violent jolt at the bow and flooding that poured in fast,1:20and some say warnings that water had got into the cabin were dismissed.1:23The rescue that followed was heavy and fast-moving.1:26Twelve dedicated assets went to sea, four Coast Guard vessels, six Turkish naval1:31ships, including the TCG Karpaz and TCG Karatanis Areli, and two helicopters with1:37the passenger ferry Akinler III helping.1:39Aircraft, drones, divers from Turkey, police, and fishing boats joined, and1:43survivors were brought ashore at Kyrinia before the hull settled onto a seabed 5141:48meters down.1:49Whether the ferry's safety gear was adequate for that moment now sits under direct1:53challenge.1:54The ship passed its class survey two months earlier.1:56was sailing at roughly sixty per cent capacity and carried enough life jackets, and2:01passengers had time to put on vests and lower the life rafts.2:04The other account holds that the safety equipment was insufficient and poorly2:07managed, and that the evacuation was delayed.2:10Three officials shape the official account, and the Transport Minister's assurances2:14now face a legal test.2:16The Prime Minister described a first wave, then a second, and the captain's failed2:20attempt to turn back.2:21The TRNC leader acknowledges the storm before departure but says conditions were2:25judged suitable to sail.2:27The Transport Minister insists the ship was surveyed and carried enough life2:31jackets.2:32Now that account is under investigation.2:34The captain, seven crew members, and at least one company figure have been detained,2:39and an inquiry is examining negligence, the ferry's seaworthiness, and the decision2:43to sail.2:44Older inspection deficiencies from 2018 and a 2003 collision and flooding history2:49have surfaced, investigative leads not settled conclusions.2:52The crew remain in custody.2:54Three days of mourning have been declared and the missing include children.2:57The figures for the dead and the missing are still being reconciled as divers work3:01the hull, and the investigation will decide whether this disaster's worst numbers3:05have already been counted or are still to come.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗