"Captain jumped first." Passengers of ferry that sank near Cyprus accused crew of fleeing
Survivors of the Filojet ferry, which sank off the coast of Cyprus, accused the captain and crew of abandoning the vessel among the first, leaving people without help, writes BILD. At least eight people died in the disaster, and another 18 are still missing.
"The ship began to sway violently. Then water poured in," one of the passengers recounted.
According to him, the staff initially did nothing, and the captain assured people that "nothing would happen." After a loud explosion, the crew, according to eyewitnesses, rushed to the exit.
"They immediately ran out and left people inside. The ticket seller was still shouting: 'Run, we're going to sink now!'" the man added.
Other passengers also described panic on board.
According to them, after the windows shattered, water rushed in sharply, children and elderly women were trapped between seats, and there were not enough life jackets.
"The captain jumped first, without organizing anything," another survivor told AFP.
More than 250 people were rescued. The ferry itself now lies at a depth of about 500 meters.
The captain and crew members have been detained, and their actions are being investigated. The government of Northern Cyprus has promised to establish all the circumstances of the tragedy.
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