The death toll from a ferry disaster off northern Cyprus has risen to 12 after rescuers recovered the bodies of two more women on Friday.
Authorities said 16 people remain missing as an extensive search operation continues around the sunken vessel.
The FiloJet ferry was carrying 267 people when it capsized shortly after leaving Kyrenia port on Sunday afternoon.
Rescue teams managed to save 239 passengers and crew members following the accident.
Initial reports put the death toll at eight, with 20 people missing. Authorities later recovered four additional bodies during round-the-clock search operations.
Search Teams Race to Find 16 Missing Passengers
Rescue operations have continued around the clock as authorities search for the remaining 16 missing people.
The wreckage is lying approximately 514 metres below the surface, making the recovery operation particularly challenging.
Specialist divers and naval drones are being used to search the wreck and surrounding waters.
Since Wednesday, two Turkish naval vessels equipped with underwater drones have also joined the operation.
Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel confirmed the recovery of the latest two bodies.
He said both victims were women and confirmed that search teams would continue working continuously to locate the remaining missing passengers.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the nationalities of the latest victims.
Investigation Focuses on Captain’s Actions
Investigators are also examining what caused the ferry to capsize.
Authorities have so far been unable to recover the vessel’s voyage data recorder, commonly known as the ferry’s black box.
The recorder could provide important information about the ferry’s movements and help investigators determine what happened before the accident.
The ferry’s captain and eight other people were placed in custody on Monday.
They face charges related to negligent homicide.
The suspects appeared before a court in Kyrenia for a second hearing on Thursday.
During the hearing, police investigators reportedly said the disaster could have been prevented.
According to media reports, investigators told the court that the captain should have reduced the ferry’s speed and turned back towards the port after the vessel began taking on water.
The investigation remains ongoing as rescue teams continue searching the wreckage and authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
