Death Toll Rises to 13 with 15 Still Missing After Ferry Disaster off Cyprus Coast

The death toll from the high-speed passenger ferry disaster off the coast of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus has risen to 13, with 15 people still missing, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel announced on Saturday.

The vessel, named 'Philo Jet', had departed from Kyrenia port last Sunday bound for Tasucu in Turkey’s Mersin province. Shortly after setting sail, water began entering the ship, and it sank while attempting to return to port. A total of 267 people were on board at the time of the accident, comprising 259 passengers and 8 crew members, of whom 239 have been successfully rescued.

Search and rescue operations are currently underway with the assistance of the Turkish Navy and multiple agencies. The wreckage of the ship has been located at a depth of approximately 554 meters on the seabed, where robotic equipment is being deployed to search for the missing and recover bodies. The joint operation involves a total of 9 vessels—including two Turkish rescue ships—and 11 aircraft, utilizing remotely operated underwater vehicles and advanced technology to navigate the deep-sea wreckage.