A video from a previous voyage of the FİLO JET, appearing to show water inside the vessel and concerned passengers discussing the situation with a crew member, has emerged following the deadly sinking off Kyrenia.
According to Turkish Cypriot outlet Kıbrıs Gerçek, the footage was reportedly recorded on 16 May 2026 during a crossing from Taşucu to Cyprus.
Water visible inside vessel
The footage appears to show water inside part of the vessel, while passengers can be heard expressing concern.
One passenger is heard saying:
"It took on a lot of water. The water came from below."
In response, a crew member appears to reassure those on board, saying:
"Brother, nothing is going to happen. Go to the front so you don't get wet. More will come, that's all."
Added significance after the sinking
The video has attracted particular attention following the sinking of the FİLO JET, as water ingress and the reported structural failure of part of the catamaran are central issues in the ongoing investigation into the disaster.
During court proceedings in Kyrenia, police reportedly stated that the vessel had travelled approximately four nautical miles from the harbour when a section at the end of the left float/hull fractured, leading to water entering the vessel and its eventual capsizing.
Previous concerns under scrutiny
The footage adds to a series of reports and claims that have emerged in recent days regarding the vessel's technical history.
A naval engineer who inspected the FİLO JET in 2016 has claimed that he identified "very serious structural damage" and recommended that repairs be carried out under classification society supervision.
Records relating to the vessel, when it operated under the name Iris Jet, also refer to an incident involving significant water ingress in 2003.
No proven link
The newly released video does not, on its own, prove that the FİLO JET suffered from a permanent technical defect, nor does it establish any connection between the May incident and the recent sinking.
The origin of the water visible in the footage, as well as the circumstances under which it entered the vessel, will need to be determined through the ongoing technical investigation.
Source: Kıbrıs Gerçek.
