Questions are mounting over the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the FİLO JET off the coast of Kyrenia, as search efforts continue for 18 missing passengers and investigators broaden their inquiry into the disaster.
According to the latest update from Tufan Erhürman, reported by Yeni Düzen, 249 of the 267 people on board have been accounted for. Of those, 241 were rescued, eight died, and 18 remain missing. Four of the eight victims have so far been identified.
Survivor accounts under scrutiny
Particular attention is now being paid to statements from survivors.
According to reports in Turkish and Turkish Cypriot media, passengers said the vessel began taking on water shortly after departing Kyrenia and that crew members were warned about the problem.
Survivors allege that their concerns were not initially treated with the necessary urgency.
The claims are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
Questions over departure decision
The FİLO JET had departed Kyrenia bound for Taşucu in Türkiye.
In earlier remarks reported by Kıbrıs Postası, so-called prime minister Ünal Üstel said the vessel's departure had initially been delayed because of adverse weather conditions before being allowed to sail approximately one hour later.
Whether weather conditions and the decision to proceed with the voyage contributed to the disaster is among the issues now under examination.
Maritime experts speaking to Turkish Cypriot media have also questioned the risk assessment carried out before departure.
Captain Ender Kara, quoted by Kıbrıs Postası, argued that meteorological warnings may not have been adequately evaluated and that investigators should examine whether the required voyage suitability assessment and risk analysis were conducted.
His comments represent expert opinion rather than findings from the official investigation.
Separate review of permits and safety measures
So-called public works and transport minister Erhan Arıklı announced that, alongside the police investigation, authorities will conduct a separate administrative and technical review.
According to reports carried by TRT, investigators will examine:
- Vessel documentation.
- Seaworthiness certifications.
- Port permits.
- Safety measures in place for the voyage.
As part of the criminal investigation, the captain and seven crew members remain in custody.
Üstel has said every possible omission will be investigated and responsibility assigned if wrongdoing is established.
Questions remain over vessel condition
Speaking to Kıbrıs TV, Arıklı rejected speculation about the captain's qualifications, stating that he held the required licence and had approximately 25 years of experience.
He also said the FİLO JET had undergone inspection by Türk Loydu around two and a half months before the sinking and had received the necessary certification.
However, those assurances do not answer what investigators regard as a central question: how a catamaran that passed inspection only weeks earlier began taking on water and sank within a short period.
Hunt for the "black box"
According to Kıbrıs Postası, Arıklı said the vessel lies at a depth of approximately 514 metres, making underwater investigations particularly difficult.
He stressed that locating the ship's data recorder, described as the vessel's "black box", will be critical to determining what caused the sinking.
Because of the depth, conventional recovery methods are unlikely to be sufficient.
Turkish vessel to assist
According to so-called tourism minister Fikri Ataoğlu, a specialised vessel from Türkiye is expected to arrive on Tuesday to assist with operations at depths exceeding 500 metres.
The vessel is expected to support both the search for the missing and efforts to locate the data recorder.
Reports from Yeni Düzen and Haber Kıbrıs said the overnight search operation involved:
- 13 vessels.
- Two helicopters.
- A military aircraft equipped with radar.
- Additional UAVs, aircraft and rescue vessels from Türkiye and the north.
Condition of survivors improves
Meanwhile, the condition of many of those rescued has improved.
So-called health minister Hakan Dinçyürek said a significant number of patients have already been discharged from hospital, while others remain under observation.
According to Haber Kıbrıs, those injured were distributed among hospitals in Kyrenia and Nicosia to avoid overwhelming a single medical facility.
Dinçyürek expressed confidence that more patients would soon be able to return home.
