On the initiative of the captain, it was decided to sail the fatal "Filo Jet" from Kyrenia, while the port of Tasoutzou in Turkey remained closed on Sunday due to rough seas, according to what was reported during today's proceedings before the "district court" of Kyrenia. During the process, evidence was also submitted according to which the boat already had problems with the engine and rudder, while a previous incident of water ingress had been recorded. The "court" decided to extend the "detention of the nine suspects" for another eight days, as part of the investigations into the maritime accident with the capsizing of the passenger boat.
These are the director of the ship-owning company, the master, the lieutenant, the first and second engineers and four crew members, who face a charge of causing death by negligence. Their lawyers did not object to the request of the "police", who argued that any release would affect the investigations.
According to what was testified, the lieutenant stated that the port of Tasoutzou remained closed until 15:00 and that he had recommended to the captain not to sail. The captain and lieutenant admitted in their testimonies that they knew in advance about the damage. The "police" stated before the "court" that the ship sailed with existing damage — an assessment based on videos and passenger testimonies — and that the new inflow of water was not taken seriously precisely because it had happened before. Experts judged that if the journey had been interrupted and the boat had returned at a very low speed, the accident would have been avoided; The master did not slow down.
The data on the certificates are also of great importance. The Turkish diploma of the captain had ceased to be valid due to a ten-year interruption in the practice of the profession. The certificate he was using was obtained from Honduras for about $3,500, was then registered in Greece and went through a recognition process in the occupied territories. Two international certificates, radio communications security and stability, were missing from the ship itself. The Turkish classification society Türk Loydu is expected today in the occupied territories to check, among other things, the authenticity of the inspection documents.
Autopsies showed that the victims died of drowning. Hundreds of statements have been taken, while the results of the suspects' toxicological tests are pending.
Fifth day of investigations today, with the toll at nine dead and 19 missing, after the discovery of another body yesterday. The wreck was located at a depth of about 550 meters and work is being carried out around the clock with underwater robots, with the Turkish vessels TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar in the area. A technical team of the Turkish maritime accident investigation service is preparing a preliminary conclusion.
At the same time, new testimonies continue to come to the fore. A survivor described opening a wedged door by climbing onto irons and seats, allowing about 50 people to get out, but did not have time to catch a little girl before the boat lifted vertically. Two of his relatives remain missing.
It is recalled that the shipwreck has already blown up the "government" coalition. The "Prime Minister" Unal Ustel removed the "Minister" of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arikli, with the decision signed by the Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. Subsequently, the Renaissance Party (KA), led by Mr. Arikli, decided to withdraw from the tripartite coalition with the National Unity Party (KEE) and the Democratic Party (DK). The decision is served in writing today.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz is expected in the occupied territories today for a condolence visit.
