Cyprus ferry tragedy death toll rises to 19

The death toll from the Filo Jet ferry disaster off the coast of northern Cyprus has risen to 19 following the recovery of another body. Nine people remain missing after the vessel capsized on August 30 shortly after departing from the port of Kyrenia. The ferry was carrying 267 passengers and crew members at the time of the accident.

Rescuers previously saved 239 people, but search operations have continued at the wreckage site, located at a depth of 514 meters. Authorities have recovered the vessel’s voyage data recorder, or “black box,” which has been handed to police for analysis to determine the cause of the capsize.

Nine individuals, including the ferry captain Mustafa Oz, seven crew members, and a director of the operator Filo Denizcilik, were arrested on suspicion of causing death through negligence. During a recent court hearing in Kyrenia, their detention was extended for seven days. Investigators have noted that previous repairs to the vessel were described in an expert report as “superficial, inadequate and unacceptable,” and found that watertight doors had not been properly closed.