Capsizing of the Filo Jet ferry near Cyprus: dozens of castaways awaiting rescue

Dozens of castaways, fluorescent orange life jackets around their necks, taking refuge on the side of their sinking boat, desperately blowing their whistles, waiting to be rescued. The impressive images of the accident of the Filo Jet, a fast ferry which left Cyprus on Sunday August 30, have gone around the world. The white and blue ship is turned on its side, passengers are sitting on what remains of the windows, while others have thrown themselves into the sea and are drifting in the blue waters of the Mediterranean among the debris.

The boat, which was carrying 258 passengers and nine crew members, capsized just after departure, less than ten kilometers from the coast. While 20 people were still missing on Monday and eight bodies were recovered, the investigation is underway to shed light on the accident. The first testimonies appearing in the local media describe a ship violently tossed by the waters, staff who take time before...