Messages of condolence and solidarity have continued to pour in following Sunday’s devastating ferry disaster off the coast of North Cyprus, which has left at least eight people dead and 20 others missing.
Among those expressing their sympathies are British Turkish Cypriot MP Nesil Caliskan, Britain’s High Commissioner to Cyprus Michael Tatham, and British-Cypriot entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, whose foundation has pledged up to €260,000 in financial assistance to the families affected.
The FİLO JET passenger ferry was travelling from Girne to Taşucu in southern Türkiye when it capsized shortly after leaving port on Sunday, 30 August.
According to the latest official Turkish Cypriot figures, 267 people were aboard the vessel, of whom 239 were rescued, eight died and 20 remain missing. The TRNC has declared three days of national mourning, running until sunset on Wednesday, 2 September, while search and rescue operations continue.
Nesil Caliskan: ‘It is heartbreaking’
Barking MP Nesil Caliskan, who is of Turkish Cypriot descent, shared a personal statement on social media on Monday, saying she wanted to extend her “heartfelt condolences” to the families of those who had lost their lives.
Describing the disaster as “heartbreaking”, the Labour politician highlighted the close links between Britain, Cyprus and Türkiye.
“Many people in my constituency have close family and personal ties to Cyprus and Türkiye, as I do myself,” Caliskan wrote.
“I know how deeply this tragedy will be felt by communities here in the UK as well as by those in Cyprus and Türkiye.”
She ended by saying her thoughts were with those who had died, the injured, those still missing and “everyone affected by this terrible tragedy”. Her message was also picked up by Turkish Cypriot media.
British High Commissioner thanks rescue teams
Britain’s High Commissioner to Cyprus Michael Tatham also issued condolences on behalf of the British High Commission and its staff.
Tatham expressed his deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the disaster and particularly to families still waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
The British diplomat also expressed gratitude to the rescue workers who have continued searching for those missing at sea.
Sir Stelios pledges up to €260,000 for victims’ families
One of the most substantial gestures of support has come from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the entrepreneur who created easyJet and the wider easy family of brands.
Through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Sir Stelios expressed his “most sincere condolences” to the loved ones of the eight confirmed victims and said his thoughts and prayers were also with the families of the, at the time reported, 18 people still missing.
The Foundation has pledged up to €260,000 in direct financial assistance, describing the initiative as a “small but tangible gesture of support and solidarity” with the affected families.
Under the scheme, €10,000 will be paid to the next of kin of each person confirmed to have died as a result of the disaster within one month of the sinking. If all 28 people currently dead or missing are ultimately confirmed among the fatalities, the total assistance could exceed €260,000.
Relatives will need to provide proof of kinship and bank details through an application process being published by the Stelios Foundation.
Sir Stelios, who holds both British and Cypriot citizenship, has a long record of philanthropy on the island. His Foundation is also behind the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Cooperation, which for 16 years have encouraged partnerships between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot entrepreneurs.
The latest expressions of sympathy come as Turkish and Turkish Cypriot teams continue their intensive search for the 20 people still unaccounted for following one of the deadliest maritime disasters in North Cyprus in recent history.
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