Scenes reminiscent of a tragedy unfolded at Kyrenia harbour on Monday afternoon. Outside the port area, relatives of the missing and victims from the doomed Kyrenia-Taşucu crossing waited for hours under the scorching sun, seeking answers about the fate of their loved ones. The passenger catamaran FİLO JET, operating on the route, capsized and sank at a depth of approximately 514 metres, turning a routine journey into an unspeakable tragedy.
People exhausted by the wait, some silent and others breaking into cries of despair, stood hoping that an official would emerge and provide information. For many of them, the hours passed without answers as the search for the missing remained under way.
"We are willing to wait here until tomorrow for our people. What is going to happen from here on?" was the question repeatedly voiced by relatives gathered outside the harbour.
In makeshift tents erected nearby, family members tried to endure the long wait. Food and water were provided by a nearby hotel and by the Red Crescent.
The atmosphere was heavy. Anxiety over the 18 people still missing increasingly turned into anger, as families demanded to know what had happened to their loved ones and what would happen next.
"The first person to leave the ship was the captain"
Within the crowd, accusations and questions were repeatedly raised about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
"The first person to leave the ship was the captain," some relatives shouted, expressing their anger and frustration.
A mother's despair
Among those waiting outside the port were people who had lost contact with loved ones.
A friend of Ayten Biçer, a mother whose two children disappeared in the stormy waters, shouted while trying to find someone able to provide information.
"I cannot find any official to speak to me. I want to know what happened to my friend's children," she pleaded.
Strong police presence
A significant security presence from the authorities in the north was stationed in the area, including both uniformed officers and personnel in plain clothes.
The security presence remained conspicuous as relatives waited outside the harbour seeking information.
Anger over the lack of answers
Present at the scene from the morning was Emre Kaya, head of the AK Party organisation in the north, who attempted to calm the anger of relatives.
His presence, however, did little to ease tensions. As he departed, some in the crowd jeered him, shouting that the authorities were not listening to them.
Relatives' allegations concerning the captain
Additional information conveyed to Politis by Recep Dal, correspondent of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen, reflected what relatives of passengers were saying.
According to those accounts, the vessel had begun taking on water before capsizing and, despite warnings made to the captain, he allegedly insisted on continuing the voyage.
These reports have not been verified and, as Dal stressed, remain allegations being examined as part of the investigation. At this stage, there is no definitive conclusion regarding what occurred before the vessel capsized and sank.
Particularly noteworthy, however, is the claim that the FİLO JET had not travelled far from Kyrenia when the incident occurred. According to available information, the vessel is believed to have first capsized and then sunk.
Search operation at great depth
Meanwhile, the search for the missing continues, involving forces from both the north and Türkiye.
According to Dal, it had not yet been possible to reach the wreck itself because it lies at considerable depth.
For that reason, a specialised underwater vehicle from Türkiye is expected to join the operation in order to conduct a more comprehensive survey of the wreck site.
The objective is not only to determine whether and where the missing persons may be located but also to examine the wreck itself. The underwater investigation is expected to provide critical evidence about the circumstances under which the vessel capsized and ultimately sank.
The depth of the wreck, however, makes the operation extremely difficult. Whether a detailed examination can be carried out will depend on operational and weather conditions, as well as the capabilities of the teams involved.
A survivor's harrowing account
Politis also spoke to Seidi Ali, one of the passengers on the ill-fated journey.
Ali described being inside the vessel when it began experiencing difficulties in rough seas.
"As soon as we encountered the waves, we received the first heavy impact. With the second impact, water started coming in," he said.
According to his account, despite warnings from passengers, the vessel neither slowed down nor turned back.
"Although we warned them, they did not slow down and they did not return," he claimed.
He said the situation changed when the vessel eventually slowed and attempted to alter course.
"When they finally slowed down, they turned the ship. As soon as they turned it, the ship leaned to one side. When it tilted, one of the windows broke and water started entering."
His description of what followed was particularly dramatic.
Passengers from both the upper and lower decks attempted to move towards the corridor and open doors as the vessel listed sharply.
"When it leaned that much, everyone moved towards that side," he said.
Ali believes that many of those still missing were in that section of the ship.
"The people who are missing, those who have not been found, were in the corridor. I saw them with my own eyes. They became trapped there. There were suitcases in that area too and they remained under water with them."
"There were not life jackets for everyone"
Ali also described the desperate rescue effort, saying it took approximately an hour and a half before he was picked up by Civil Defence personnel.
He further alleged that a large number of passengers did not have access to life jackets because, according to him, there were not enough available for everyone on board.
According to his account, people were attempting to reach and rescue survivors, but the available means were insufficient.
"When Civil Defence picked me up, there was one person using rescue equipment and another directing him so they could get close and pick people up," he said.
Ali then entered the sea himself to assist.
"Because it was not enough, I went into the water by myself. I saw dead people. I pulled two people out of the water. One man and one woman."
Without luggage, passport or money
The survivor also described the difficulties he has faced since the disaster.
He said his luggage, money, phone and other personal belongings were lost with the vessel.
"They have not provided me with a place to stay. I do not know where I will stay. My suitcase, my money, my phone, everything remained there."
According to Ali, he had spoken to Tufan Erhürman, who visited the area, and his contact details were taken with the promise that accommodation would be arranged. However, at the time of the interview, he was still awaiting information.
He is also facing difficulties with travel documents.
His passport was lost in the sinking and he was forced to obtain a temporary passport.
"I want to go to Türkiye, but I do not have a passport. I got a temporary passport from the consulate. Yesterday was the last day of my visa and I was supposed to leave. I am waiting for an extension."
He said that after receiving treatment in a local hospital, he returned to the harbour area and had not received clear instructions regarding accommodation or assistance.
"We told them many times not to leave"
Ali's comments regarding the weather and the vessel's departure time are also likely to attract attention.
According to him, the service operated daily and he had purchased his ticket approximately one month earlier.
The vessel had originally been scheduled to depart at 10:30am, but departure was postponed until 12:00 noon because of dangerous weather conditions.
"We told them many times not to leave, but they did not listen to us," he claimed.
He added:
"About ten minutes after the ship departed, it began to sink."
