Psychosocial support has begun for families of people missing after the high-speed passenger ship Filo Jet sank off the coast of Girne (Kyrenia) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Seven support personnel deployed from Türkiye by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, together with officials from the Girne Social Services Department, have been providing psychosocial support to relatives of the missing who continue to wait outside Girne Port.

The first team sent from Türkiye held one-on-one meetings with passengers and relatives of the missing at Girne Port in coordination with TRNC authorities.

The teams also reached out to relatives of passengers living in Türkiye to provide psychosocial support.

The Filo Jet, a high-speed passenger vessel operating between Girne Port and Taşucu Port in Mersin, southern Türkiye, began taking on water from its bow shortly after departing Girne around noon on Aug. 30.

The vessel sank while attempting to return to Girne Port.

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said the ship had 267 passengers and crew members aboard.

Following the sinking, 239 people were rescued and the bodies of 13 people were recovered, while search efforts continued for 15 missing people.

Türkiye is supporting the search-and-rescue operation off Girne with seven helicopters, alongside aircraft, UAVs, vessels and boats. SAT commandos and Turkish Naval Forces diving teams are also taking part in efforts to locate the missing passengers and recover bodies from the sunken vessel.