The captain of the ill-fated Filo Jet reportedly decided to depart from Kyrenia even though the port of Taşucu in Turkey remained closed on Sunday due to rough seas, according to evidence presented during Thursday’s proceedings before the Kyrenia “District Court”.
The hearing also heard that the vessel already had problems with its engine and rudder, while there had previously been an incident involving water ingress.
The “court” ordered the detention of the nine suspects to be extended for a further eight days as investigations continue into the maritime disaster in which the passenger vessel capsized.
The suspects are the director of the owning company, the captain, chief officer, first and second engineers, and four crew members. They face charges of causing death through negligence.
Their lawyers did not object to the “police” request, which argued that releasing the suspects could interfere with the investigation.
Warnings over the voyage
According to evidence presented in court, the chief officer said Taşucu port remained closed until 3pm and that he had advised the captain not to depart.
Both the captain and chief officer reportedly acknowledged in their statements that they were aware of the vessel’s faults beforehand.
The “police” told the court that the ship sailed with existing damage, an assessment supported by video footage and passenger statements.
Investigators also said the new water ingress was not taken seriously because a similar incident had occurred previously.
Experts reportedly concluded that the disaster could have been avoided if the voyage had been aborted and the vessel had returned at very low speed. The captain, however, did not reduce speed.
Questions over captain’s certificates
Significant concerns were also raised over the vessel’s certification.
The captain’s Turkish licence had reportedly become invalid following a 10-year break from practising the profession.
The certificate he was using had allegedly been obtained from Honduras for around $3,500, subsequently registered in Greece and then recognised through a procedure in the occupied areas.
Two international certificates were also reportedly missing from the vessel, relating to radio communications safety and stability.
Turkish classification society Türk Loydu is expected to arrive in the occupied areas on Thursday to examine, among other issues, the authenticity of the inspection documents.
Death toll reaches nine
Post-mortem examinations showed that the victims died from drowning.
Hundreds of statements have been taken, while toxicology results for the suspects are still pending.
Thursday marks the fifth day of the investigation, with the death toll standing at nine and 19 people still missing following the discovery of another body on Wednesday.
The wreck was located at a depth of around 550 metres. Search operations are continuing around the clock using underwater robots, with 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.
Survivor describes desperate escape
New accounts from survivors have also emerged.
One survivor said he managed to open a jammed door by climbing over metal structures and seats, allowing around 50 people to escape.
He said he was unable to reach a young girl before the vessel rose vertically. Two of his relatives remain missing.
Disaster shakes coalition government
The sinking has also triggered a political crisis in the self-declared administration in the occupied north.
“Prime Minister” Ünal Üstel removed “Public Works and Transport Minister” Erhan Arıklı, with the decision signed by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
Arıklı’s Rebirth Party (YDP) subsequently decided to withdraw from the three-party coalition with the National Unity Party (UBP) and Democratic Party (DP). The decision is due to be submitted in writing on Thursday.
Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is also expected to visit the occupied areas on Thursday to offer condolences.
Also read: Ninth body from shipwreck believed to be that of a pseudostate “citizen”
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