The Filo Jet ferry sinking occurred on August 30, 2026, when the high-speed passenger catamaran was traveling from Kyrenia (Girne), Northern Cyprus, to Taşucu (Tasucu), Türkiye.
As of September 4, 2026, 239 people have survived, 10 deaths have been confirmed and 18 people remain missing.
The wreck has been located in approximately 550 metres of water, where Turkish naval search vessels and remotely operated underwater systems are continuing recovery and inspection operations.
The final cause of the sinking has not yet been established.
Latest Confirmed Status
| Item | Latest Verified Information |
| Accident date | August 30, 2026 |
| Route | Kyrenia/Girne → Taşucu |
| Vessel type | High-speed passenger catamaran |
| IMO number | 8962034 |
| Total people aboard | 267 |
| Passengers | 259 |
| Crew | 8 |
| Survivors | 239 |
| Confirmed deaths | 10 |
| Missing | 18 |
| Wreck depth | Approximately 550 metres; earlier reports cited about 514 metres |
| Cause | Technical, judicial and administrative investigations ongoing; final cause not established |
| Search and recovery status | Ongoing, with operations focused on the deep-sea wreck and accessible areas of the vessel |
| Last verified | September 4, 2026 |
What Happened to the Filo Jet Ferry?
On August 30, 2026, Filo Jet departed from Girne Port in Northern Cyprus for Taşucu in Mersin Province, Türkiye.Police told the court that the vessel suffered damage in its forward section and subsequently took on water before capsizing. This information was presented as part of the ongoing judicial investigation and has not been established as the final technical cause of the sinking.
Following the accident, maritime and aerial search-and-rescue forces were deployed. Initial operations focused on people in the water and floating objects. After the wreck was located, the search shifted increasingly toward underwater operations at depths of around 500 metres or more.
On September 1, search teams identified a suspected wreck at a depth of approximately 550 metres. Further underwater operations were then launched using specialized remotely operated systems.
Filo Jet Accident Timeline
August 29 — Scheduled Departure DelayedFilo Jet was originally scheduled to operate the Kyrenia–Taşucu route, but the sailing was delayed due to weather conditions.
The subsequent investigation is expected to examine the sea conditions, port operating arrangements and whether the vessel met all requirements for departure at the time.
August 30 — Filo Jet Departs Kyrenia
The vessel departed from Girne/Kyrenia for Taşucu with 259 passengers and eight crew members, making a total of 267 people aboard.
August 30 — Water Ingress and Capsizing
After leaving port, Filo Jet began taking on water approximately four nautical miles from the port.
Police told the court that the vessel's forward-left section was damaged, allowing water to enter before the vessel eventually capsized.
Some passengers and crew members also reported abnormal conditions before and during the water ingress.
These accounts remain part of the ongoing judicial investigation and should not be treated as final findings.
August 30–31 — Initial Search and Rescue
Multiple maritime and aerial units from Northern Cyprus and Türkiye participated in the rescue operation, with civilian vessels also assisting.
Because passenger manifests and rescue records had not yet been fully reconciled, the reported numbers of people aboard, rescued, missing and deceased changed several times during the first stage of the emergency.
August 31 — Passenger Numbers Reconciled
Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel announced the results of a further verification process: 267 people had been aboard, including 259 passengers and eight crew members. Of these, 239 survived, eight died and 20 remained missing.
Authorities explained that some early rescue figures were adjusted after the identities of survivors and missing passengers were checked in greater detail.
September 1 — Deep-Sea Search Begins
Search teams began using deep-sea equipment to locate the wreck.
The commander of TCG Işın said the initial task was to locate and identify the wreck before using remotely operated underwater equipment for more detailed underwater searches and inspections.
September 2 — Wreck Located and Underwater Operations Expand
TCG Işın reached the wreck area and continued underwater imaging and search operations.
TCG Alemdar subsequently joined the operation, supporting continuous underwater search and imaging work.
Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhürman said the two specialized vessels had similar technical capabilities and that underwater imaging and search operations were being conducted around the clock.
September 3 — Ninth and Tenth Fatality Updates
On the morning of September 3, Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel confirmed that a body had been found during the search at approximately 550 metres, increasing the confirmed death toll from eight to nine.
Later that evening, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz confirmed that another missing person's body had been recovered.
This brought the confirmed death toll to 10, with 18 people still missing.
September 4 — Search Operation Continues
As of September 4, the search operation remains active.
Turkish naval vessels TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar continue underwater operations around the wreck, which lies at approximately 550 metres.
The latest official figures remain 239 survivors, 10 confirmed deaths and 18 missing.
Note: The latest figures above are based on official information reported by Radyo Güven.
Latest Search and Recovery Operation
The Filo Jet search and recovery operation has now entered a very different phase from the initial surface rescue effort.At approximately 550 metres below the surface, the wreck lies far beyond the operating depth of conventional recreational diving. Search teams therefore rely on specialized vessels, sonar, imaging systems and remotely operated underwater vehicles rather than conventional diver operations.
TCG Işın initially focused on locating and identifying the wreck and using remotely operated underwater equipment for detailed underwater inspection. TCG Alemdar later joined the operation to conduct additional searches and imaging around the wreck.
As of September 3, Türkiye's Ministry of National Defence said that seven vessels and 11 aircraft, including TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar, were participating in or supporting the search-and-rescue operation.
The main objectives now include:
- Searching for the 18 people still missing;
- Inspecting accessible areas of the wreck;
- Searching for potentially relevant navigation or voyage-data equipment;
- Documenting the locations and extent of hull damage;
- Preserving evidence for the subsequent technical investigation.
What Kind of Vessel Was Filo Jet?
Filo Jet was a high-speed passenger catamaran built for commercial passenger transportation. It was not a recreational catamaran or a yacht.According to vessel information reported by Philenews:
| Vessel Detail | Verified Information |
| Vessel name | Filo Jet |
| Previous name | Iris Jet |
| IMO number | 8962034 |
| Vessel type | High-speed passenger catamaran |
| Length | Approximately 42.8 m |
| Gross tonnage | 339 GT |
| Builder | Iris Catamarans, La Rochelle, France |
| Construction | 2000 |
| Delivery | June 1, 2001 |
Filo Jet History
Filo Jet previously operated for an extended period under the name IRIS JET and went through changes involving operators, flags and commercial operations during its service history.Of particular relevance, the vessel's history includes a documented incident involving water ingress.
In 2003, IRIS JET was involved in an accident involving a collision with a pier, after which water ingress was reported.
This historical incident is relevant background information for investigators to verify, but it does not by itself establish any direct connection with the 2026 sinking.
Police also told the court on August 31 that the vessel had been involved in another accident in Türkiye approximately 12 years earlier and had subsequently undergone repairs. According to the police account, Filo Denizcilik purchased the vessel in 2024.
Police further stated that the vessel passed relevant Türk Loydu approval procedures in June 2026 and had obtained the permits required for continued operation.
These details mean investigators will need to examine the vessel's repair records, inspection history, classification documentation and technical condition before the accident rather than drawing conclusions based solely on its age or previous incidents.
What Caused the Filo Jet to Sink?
The final cause has not yet been established.A. Confirmed Facts
The following facts have been established through official updates and the ongoing response:- The vessel took on water.
- The vessel capsized.
- The vessel sank.
- The wreck was located at approximately 550 metres.
- Search and recovery operations remain ongoing.
- Technical and judicial investigations are still underway.
B. Reported or Still Under Investigation
Several possible factors are being examined as part of the investigation.Vessel Condition
Reported issues under investigation include:
- Previous water-ingress incidents;
- Reported engine problems;
- Reported steering or rudder problems;
- Structural damage identified during the accident.
Crew and Evacuation
Survivors have raised questions about the availability of life jackets, access to escape routes and the crew's response. These accounts are being examined as part of the investigation.
Certification and Departure Procedures
Investigators are also examining the vessel's certification, inspection records and departure-clearance procedures.
Investigation and Official Response
The investigation currently encompasses three levels: criminal justice, technical accident investigation, and administrative oversight.Nine individuals involved—including the company’s head, the captain, the first mate, engine room personnel, and crew members—remain in custody pending further investigation by judicial authorities. On September 3, the court approved an extension of their detention period by eight days.
It is important to emphasize that these individuals are currently considered suspects or persons under investigation, not individuals who have been found guilty by a court.
Meanwhile, authorities in Northern Cyprus have stated that the investigation is not only focused on why the vessel sank but also includes:
- AIS and GPS records;
- radar data;
- VHF communications;
- onboard surveillance footage;
- engine and alarm logs;
- maintenance and classification society records;
- cargo and passenger manifests;
- stability and weight distribution;
- meteorological data;
- and port departure procedures.
The accident has also triggered follow-up actions at the administrative level. Filo Denizcilik’s voyages departing from Northern Cyprus have been suspended, and relevant regulatory and navigation licensing procedures are under further review.
On September 2, Erhan Arıklı, the Minister of Transport of Northern Cyprus, was dismissed by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, after which his political party withdrew from the governing coalition.
Why Did Early Reports Say 279 People Were Aboard?
The 279 figure appears to have come from preliminary passenger-count information circulating during the first hours of the emergency. As rescue operations developed, authorities reconciled passenger manifests with the identities of survivors and missing persons.The verified total became 267 people: 259 passengers and eight crew members.
The same process of verification also affected early reports about the accident location. Some initial reports placed the incident approximately 2–2.5 kilometres from shore.
As search and rescue operations developed, the more consistent official and maritime reporting placed the accident approximately four nautical miles, or about 7.4–7.5 kilometres, from Kyrenia/Girne Port.
Update Note
This article is an ongoing report on a maritime accident.
As of September 4, 2026, the latest publicly available statistics indicate that 239 people have survived, 10 have died, and 18 remain missing. Search and rescue teams are still conducting searches in the area where the vessel sank, at a depth of approximately 550 meters, and the accident investigation has not yet been completed.
Should officials release new search and rescue results, data from the voyage data recorder, findings from the technical inspection of the sunken vessel, a preliminary accident report, or a final investigation report, this article will continue to be updated at the same URL.
FAQ
Q1: What was the Filo Jet?
A: The Filo Jet was a high-speed catamaran passenger ferry, not a yacht. Its IMO number was 8962034, and it was previously known as the IRIS JET. It was primarily used for cross-sea passenger transport.
Q2: Where did the Filo Jet sink?
A: The Filo Jet sank after an accident in waters near Girne/Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus. Subsequent search and rescue operations confirmed that the wreck lies approximately 4 nautical miles from the port in waters about 550 meters deep.
Q3: How many people were aboard the Filo Jet?
A: The final verified number of people on board was 267, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members.
Q4: How many people were rescued?
A: As of the evening of September 3, 2026, 239 people had been rescued and confirmed to be alive.
Q5: Why did the Filo Jet sink?
A: The ultimate cause of the accident has not yet been determined. The current investigation is examining multiple aspects, including hull damage, the process of water ingress, crew response, weather conditions, maintenance history, sailing permits, and lifesaving procedures.
Q6: Has the Filo Jet wreck been found?
A: Yes. The wreck has been located at a depth of approximately 550 meters. The TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar are conducting further searches and technical inspections using deep-sea equipment and ROVs.
Q7: Was the Filo Jet a yacht?
A: No. The Filo Jet was a high-speed passenger catamaran used for commercial passenger transport. It was not a yacht, superyacht, or recreational catamaran. Its design, certification, passenger capacity, and operating environment differ substantially from those of recreational catamarans.
