North Cypriot leader says 2 more bodies were recovered from ferry wreckage

The remains of two more individuals have been discovered from the wreckage of a ferry that capsized off the coast of Cyprus, according to the leader of the island's northern region. Prime Minister Unal Ustel announced this development on Friday, raising the total death toll to 12, with 16 people still unaccounted for. The Filo Jet, a passenger ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew, capsized and sank after departing Kyrenia, a port in northern Cyprus, for Tasucu, Turkey, on Sunday afternoon.

Two Turkish naval vessels equipped with submersibles, capable of reaching the wreckage situated approximately 550 meters beneath the surface, were deployed to assist in the search. During a press conference in Kyrenia, Ustel identified the deceased as two women, adding to the earlier discovery of a man and a woman. The ongoing search efforts, conducted about 7.5 kilometers off the northern Cypriot coast, have been described as challenging by Ustel, who emphasized the strong support from the Republic of Turkey and the involvement of all relevant units.

Survivors reported that the ferry, a catamaran with a spacious deck, began tilting and flooding after a series of loud noises from below decks, leading to panic among the passengers. The vessel ultimately capsized, trapping people inside the passenger area as the water rose and the ship tilted onto its side. Eight crew members and the director of the ferry's owner, Filo Denizcilik, are currently in custody, while five others, including Filo Denizcilik staff and port officials, are under investigation.