The Stelios Foundation will pay €10,000 to the families of each of the 26 people killed or missing in the ferry disaster

On 31 August, the Stelios Foundation announced that it would pay €10,000 for each victim to the next of kin of the 26 people who died or went missing in the ferry disaster off the coast of Northern Cyprus. The total amount of assistance will be up to €260,000.

The victims include eight passengers whose deaths have been confirmed and 18 people who are still listed as missing. The ferry sank on 30 August several miles off the coast.

The foundation was established by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the creator of the easy brand. In a statement, he expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and said he shared the wait of the relatives of those who are still being sought.

The money is to be transferred by bank transfer within one month of the date of the disaster. The recipient will be the closest living relative of each deceased or missing person; the foundation has set the following order of priority: spouse, father, mother, eldest adult child, eldest brother or sister.

To receive the payment, the relative must submit a written application along with documents proving the relationship, contact details and an IBAN bank account number. The foundation will publish the application procedure on its website.

The non-profit Stelios Foundation operates in Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Monaco and France. On the island, it is known for awards for bicommunal cooperation, prizes for young entrepreneurs and its Food from the Heart food-aid programme.

The foundation has made similar payments three times: in 2019 to the relatives of the victims of serial killer Metaxas in Cyprus; in 2018 to the families of those killed in the fires in Mati near Athens; and in 2024 to the families of those killed in the railway disaster in Tempi.