Filo Jet Suspects Remanded for Another Seven Days

The investigation into the Filo Jet disaster, which claimed 27 lives off the coast of Kyrenia on August 30, continued as the suspects in custody appeared before Kyrenia District Court again today. Police briefed the court on findings from the vessel’s black box recordings and the latest developments in the investigation. The court ordered that the suspects remain in custody for a further seven days.
Police said an examination of the black box recordings had revealed conversations indicating that the vessel had previously collided with another location or object. Investigators believe the impact may have involved a captain who is not among the suspects. Police said the captain’s identity would not be disclosed at this stage and that the investigation was ongoing.
Police also reported hearing the captain complain in the recordings: “This is not a steering wheel” and “This is not a ship.” They added that the mechanic who repaired the vessel’s damage was aware of all the damage on board, but had not yet been identified.
12 DAYS OF BLACK BOX RECORDINGS EXAMINED
According to information presented in court, the vessel’s Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), commonly known as the black box, contains a total of 68 days of audio recordings. Investigators have so far listened to recordings covering the period from August 28 back to August 16, examining approximately 12 days of audio. Police said the recordings would continue to be reviewed up to the day the device was switched off.
The investigation established that the black box had been switched off two days before the disaster. Investigators are also considering the possibility that an unauthorised person may have turned it off. However, the crew voluntarily stated that no outsider had boarded the vessel. Police said this testimony made it less likely that an outsider had switched off the device, although the investigation remained ongoing.
Earlier recordings also contained conversations about faults in the generator and exhaust insulation system. The recordings reportedly included remarks by the second captain that the vessel required a complete overhaul, as well as indications that company officials were aware of the problems.
Whether the VDR itself was faulty will also be examined as part of the investigation.
DAMAGE NOT REPORTED TO DEPARTMENT OF PORTS
Police told the court that all damage sustained by a vessel must be reported to the Department of Ports. However, investigators had found that none of the damage caused by the identified collision had been reported to the department.
The vessel’s components will undergo further examination by experts and specialists, with additional inspections planned at shipyards. Police said the disaster could have been prevented if the existing damage had been repaired at a shipyard.
The defence lawyer argued that the devices found to be faulty in the black box were located at the rear of the vessel. The lawyer maintained that a collision involving the front of the ship could not explain its sinking on the basis of faults in those devices.
The defence also warned that the components to be examined risked deteriorating while being held in storage during the investigation.
DISPUTE OVER CLAIM THAT VDR WAS SWITCHED OFF
During the hearing, the defence lawyer alleged that although it was known at the October 2 hearing that the VDR had been switched off, this information had not been disclosed. Police responded that this was an allegation.
When the lawyer argued that the VDR could not detect signals aboard the vessel, police said the relevant information had been obtained as part of the police investigation.
The allegation that the VDR’s power cables had been cut was also raised in court. The defence lawyer pointed to the possibility that the system had malfunctioned, while police said inquiries into the matter were continuing.
DEFENCE LAWYER: INVESTIGATION MAY NOT BE COMPLETED WITHIN 90 DAYS
The defence lawyer said no response had been received from the relevant authorities in Turkey for 47 days, arguing that the investigation would not be completed within 90 days at its current pace.
The lawyer also said that Türk Loydu had been invited by Parliament and that the organisation’s statements on the matter would be brought before Parliament next week.
The defence lawyer said Civil Defence would continue searching for the missing victims on the surface, arguing that, based on the victims found so far, no other missing person was likely to be found on the surface. Police did not directly address the assessment, responding instead: “I hope you are wrong.”
The court ordered that the suspects remain in custody for another seven days as the investigation continues.