New details have emerged about the condition of the Filo Jet before the deadly shipwreck off Kyrenia, as investigators focus on conversations recorded by the vessel's voyage data recorder, or black box.
According to Turkish Cypriot media reports, the nine suspects arrested in connection with the 30 August maritime disaster appeared again before the "district court" in Kyrenia, which ordered a further seven-day extension of their detention.
The suspects face allegations of causing death through negligence and carelessness. They include the director of Filo Denizcilik, the vessel's captain and deputy captain, the chief and second engineers, and four crew members.
Black box points to technical concerns
During the latest court proceedings, investigators presented new findings from the vessel's voyage data recorder (VDR).
The device reportedly contains 68 days of recordings, with investigators having reviewed material covering 12 days so far.
According to evidence presented in court, the recordings include discussions about problems involving the vessel's generator, exhaust insulation and steering system. References were also reportedly made to water being present near the exhaust area.
Particular attention has been drawn to remarks attributed to the vessel's captain, who is said to have described the condition of the craft by stating that "the ship was not a ship and the rudder was not a rudder."
Investigators continue to examine the recordings to determine the extent of the vessel's technical problems and whether they were known before the disaster.
Number of wanted individuals rises to seven
New information has also emerged regarding people allegedly linked to the vessel's maintenance and operation.
According to reports, references in the recordings led investigators to identify an engineer who had carried out repairs on the vessel at different times. Authorities are now seeking to locate him.
Investigators are also looking for a former captain after recorded conversations allegedly referred to a previous incident in which the vessel struck an object in the Yumurtalık area of Turkey. The timing of the reported incident has not yet been established.
With the addition of these two individuals, the number of wanted persons in the case has risen from five to seven.
Questions over black box shutdown
Investigators are also examining the apparent deactivation of the vessel's data recorder.
According to the findings presented so far, the device had reportedly been switched off two days before the shipwreck.
Authorities are attempting to establish who disabled the system and under what circumstances.
At the same time, four crew members who were living aboard the vessel told investigators that no outside individuals had boarded the ship during the relevant period.
Death toll reaches 27
The search continues for Asel, a three-year-old girl who remains missing following the disaster.
According to the latest figures reported by Turkish Cypriot media, 27 victims have been recovered, while coastguard teams continue efforts to locate the child.
Relatives of the victims are also moving ahead with the creation of an association called "Lives Left Halfway in the Blue" (Mavi'de Yarım Kalan Hayatlar Derneği) to represent affected families.
Investigations into the causes of the tragedy are continuing, focusing on the vessel's technical condition, maintenance history and the potential responsibilities of those involved in its operation prior to the shipwreck.
