Death toll reaches 12 in Northern Cyprus ferry disaster

The death toll from the ferry disaster off northern Cyprus has risen to 12 after rescue teams recovered two additional bodies overnight, according to Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

The two recovered victims were women, but neither had been formally identified at the time of the announcement. Four bodies have now been recovered from the wreck, which lies at a depth of approximately 554 metres, while 16 people remain unaccounted for.

The catamaran Filo Jet capsized on Sunday shortly after departing the northern Cypriot port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, on a voyage to the southern Turkish coast. The circumstances that led to water entering the vessel remain under investigation. The ferry subsequently filled with water, developed a severe list and sank several kilometres off the Cypriot coast.

A total of 239 people were rescued following the sinking.

A specialist Turkish search team located the wreck on Wednesday using remotely operated underwater vehicles. The Turkish Navy submarine rescue ship TCG Alemdar has since joined TCG Işın in the continuing search operation.

Üstel said the rescue teams would continue working until all missing persons had been accounted for and stated that those found responsible for the sinking would face legal proceedings.

Several officials have already been suspended as part of the investigation, including port personnel and the transport minister. The vessel's captain and several crew members were arrested in the days following the accident as authorities continued to examine the circumstances surrounding the sinking.