Authorities in Northern Cyprus are examining whether the Filo Jet ferry collided with an unidentified object before capsizing off Girne, transport officials confirmed.
At least six people died and 70 others remain missing after the vessel began going under water just two kilometers from the coastline while carrying 279 people on board.
Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı stated that authorities will check the collision version to determine why the ferry went down, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. He explained that the exact cause of the tragedy will only be established after investigators conduct a thorough examination of the ship's black boxes.
The vessel was traveling from Northern Cyprus toward the Turkish port of Taşucu when the disaster occurred. The ferry overturned after taking on water, forcing passengers directly into the sea. Official reports noted that Russian citizens might have been among those on board during the emergency.
Investigating the disaster
The inquiry into the sinking will center on retrieving and analyzing the ferry's black box equipment. Maritime black boxes, known formally as voyage data recorders, are standardized digital recording systems installed on commercial vessels. These systems capture voice communications from the ship's bridge, radar data, speed metrics, and instrument readings. Safety investigators utilize these recorded details to reconstruct the sequence of events and operational status of a ship prior to an accident.
Girne, also known historically as Kyrenia, is a major port city situated on the northern coast of Cyprus. The destination port of Taşucu is located in the Silifke district of Mersin province along the southern coast of Turkey. The maritime route between Girne and Taşucu operates as a primary ferry link for passenger travel and cargo transport across the Mediterranean Sea, connecting the island directly with the Turkish mainland.
Investigators will proceed with checking the recorded data from the black boxes as the official effort to determine what caused the ferry to capsize continues.
