Fourth day of searches near Girne: underwater robot operating at a depth of 550 metres

Searches have continued for a fourth day in Northern Cyprus near Girne, where the Filo Jet catamaran sank. Eight people are listed as dead, the fate of 20 others remains unknown, and an underwater vehicle is operating near the vessel’s wreckage at a depth of around 550 metres.

The identities of all those who died have been established. They are Nihat Balemez, Hüseyin Özdemir, Nuray Zeytun, Fahri Ateş, Gülcan Gürel, Reyhan Verim, Nisa Törer and Nurcan Hilaloğlu.

The previous day, TRNC President Tufan Erhürman said that the location of the sunken vessel had been determined: the object was found at a depth of around 550 metres. According to him, the task now is to reach the wreckage at such a depth and bring to the surface everything that can be recovered.

Underwater operations at the crash site are being conducted by the Turkish vessel TCG IŞIN, which has equipment for filming and searching at great depths. TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said that operations would become even more intensive once the rescue vessel TCG ALEMDAR arrived in the area.

Searches are being carried out around the clock, from the air and sea, in coordination with Türkiye. The Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, the TRNC security forces and the coast guard are involved.