Taşucu port was closed on Sunday due to rough seas, and the decision to sail the ill-fated Filo Jet was taken on the captain's own initiative, even though the vessel already had known faults with its engine and rudder and had taken on water before. The details were presented today at Kyrenia's 'provincial court', which ordered the 'detention' of nine suspects extended by a further eight days.
The nine are the ship-owning company's director, the captain, the first mate, the first and second engineers, and four crew members, all facing charges of causing death by negligence. Their lawyers did not object to the request from 'police', who argued that any release would affect the investigation.
Warnings ignored, faults known in advance
According to what was submitted to the court, the first mate stated that Taşucu port remained closed until 3pm and that he had advised the captain against sailing. Both the captain and first mate admitted in their statements that they knew of the faults beforehand. 'Police' told the 'court' that the vessel sailed with existing damage, an assessment based on video footage and passenger statements, and that the fresh water ingress was not taken seriously precisely because it had happened before. Experts concluded that if the voyage had been halted and the vessel had returned at very low speed, the disaster would have been avoided. The captain did not reduce speed.
Certificate irregularities
Details on certification are also significant. The captain's Turkish licence had lapsed after a decade away from the profession. The certificate he was using instead had been obtained from Honduras for around $3,500, subsequently registered in Greece, and passed through a recognition process in the north. The vessel itself was missing two international certificates, for radio communications safety and for stability. Turkish classification society Türk Loydu is expected in the north today to check, among other things, the authenticity of the inspection documents.
Death toll rises to nine
Post-mortems showed the victims died by drowning. Hundreds of statements have been taken, while toxicology results for the suspects are still pending.
Today marks the fifth day of the search, with the toll now at nine dead and 19 missing, after another body was recovered yesterday. The wreck was located at a depth of around 550 metres, with round-the-clock operations using underwater robots and the Turkish vessels TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar in the area. A technical team from Turkey's maritime accident investigation authority is preparing a preliminary report.
New survivor testimony
Fresh testimony continues to emerge. One survivor described forcing open a jammed door by climbing over metal fittings and seats, allowing around 50 people to escape, but said he was unable to grab hold of a young girl before the vessel rose vertically. Two of his relatives remain among the missing.
Coalition collapses in the north
The shipwreck has already brought down the 'governing' coalition in the north. 'Prime minister' Ünal Üstel removed 'public works and transport minister' Erhan Arıklı, with the decision signed by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. The Renaissance Party, led by Arıklı, subsequently decided to withdraw from the three-way coalition with the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party. The decision is being submitted in writing today.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is expected in the north today on a condolence visit.
Source: CNA
