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Eight people lost their lives when the high-speed catamaran Filo Jet sank off Diana Beach near northern Cyprus. The vessel is reported to have begun taking on water in rough weather.
HIgh Speed Ship FILO JET, image credit:Saim ilkilic
The Turkey-flagged Filo Jet was originally scheduled to depart on 29 August from Girne Kyrenia to Taşucu in Turkey. The vessel left Girne at approximately 12:30 local time on 30 August. According to reports, it began taking on water after travelling several kilometres offshore. The captain attempted to turn the vessel around, but it sank off Diana Beach around 2:30 pm.
Witnesses said some passengers jumped overboard as the vessel took on water. During the search-and-rescue operation, others were found clinging to the overturned hull. The vessel later sank to a depth of 514 metres.
Of the 267 people on board that include 259 passengers and 8 crew, 249 were rescued. Eight are confirmed dead and 18 remain missing. Ships, helicopters, UAVs and coastguard units from Turkey and northern Cyprus are involved in the ongoing search-and-rescue effort, which continued through the night.
The cause of the water ingress is still unknown. The authorities are attempting to recover its black box recorder to establish what happened.The captain and seven other crew members have been detained.
