The passenger ship named FİLOJET, which departed from Girne Tourism Port to Mersin Taşucu, faced capsizing shortly after setting sail. The incident began around 12:30 PM when the 26-year-old vessel started taking on water just 2 miles off the coast. Some passengers warned the captain about the situation, but the decision to continue the journey led to disaster.
Ignoring the complaints, the captain’s ship capsized with a loud noise from the front. Panic and fear spread among the passengers as the ship tilted; some fell into the sea while others were trapped in higher areas. The chaos and moments filled with fear shaped the desperate attempts of everyone on board to save themselves.
In the aftermath of the incident, teams from northern Cyprus and Turkey initiated search and rescue operations. With 259 passengers onboard and an 8-member crew, a total of 241 passengers were rescued alive during this challenging process. Unfortunately, 8 people lost their lives, and search efforts for 18 individuals are still ongoing. This incident is recorded as an unprecedented disaster in the Mediterranean, causing deep sorrow in both the TRNC and Turkey.
Rescue Operations and Moments of Panic
After the ship sank, various coast guard teams, including rescue boats and helicopters, were dispatched to the area. While the stranded passengers were brought to Girne Port, the families of the rescued experienced mixed emotions of joy and tears. However, the families of those missing waited anxiously for news, holding onto hope for a long time.
At the port where the incident occurred, some citizens who were unable to get news about their loved ones broke down in tears and suffered panic attacks. These citizens expressed their frustration to the authorities as they continued to anxiously await updates regarding their missing family members.
Authorities’ Actions and Nationwide Reactions
Some of the rescued passengers claimed that the captain left the ship before evacuating the passengers, while others complained that life jackets were not distributed in time. Following the incident, the injured were transferred to Girne and Nicosia State Hospitals. Meanwhile, the families of the missing continued to wait with hope at the hospitals.
The Prime Minister of the TRNC, Ünal Üstel, established a crisis desk at Girne Port following the incident. This meeting included relevant ministers, security forces, and officials from the Civil Defense Organization. Decisions were made to ensure that search and rescue operations continued without interruption and that the treatment processes for the injured were closely monitored.
In response to the incident, Turkey provided support with numerous teams and vehicles. The Ministry of the Interior of Turkey sent 5 floating units and 2 helicopters from the Coast Guard Command, along with 6 naval units from the Naval Forces Command to assist with the emergency operations.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that a national mourning period would be observed from August 31 to September 2 following the accident. The ship had been inspected by Türk Loydu just two months prior, and investigations will be conducted to determine the causes of the incident.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
