The investigation into the Filo Jet disaster, in which 28 people lost their lives in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on August 30, continues.
At the hearing held at the Kyrenia District Court, new findings regarding the sound recordings obtained from the VDR device, known as the ship's black box, were announced.
In the court, it was stated that the conversations about the technical malfunctions on the ship were known before the disaster, that there were deficiencies in passenger safety and that warnings were made about adverse weather conditions were reflected in the records.
THE FAILURE IN THE LIFERAFTS WAS ON THE AGENDA BEFORE THE DISASTER
Investigation police Mehmet Mannaş, who testified as a witness in court, announced that there were 68 days of voice recordings on the ship's VDR device, and 42 days of them were examined.
It was stated that the records included conversations about a malfunction in the engines used to launch liferafts into the sea in July.
It was reported that these technical problems were on the agenda before the disaster occurred on August 30.
The police stated that the nature of the malfunctions, when they occurred and how they affected the safety of the voyage were investigated through expert examinations.
'WHY IS THE DOOR LOCKED?'
Black box recordings also included conversations about locking the doors between the ship's passenger lounges.
First captain Mustafa Öz asked, "Why is the door locked?" It was reported that the second driver, Metin Gül, said that the passengers could not sit still in bad weather conditions and therefore the doors were locked.
It was stated that crew member Sertan Erol also said that passengers could not sit still in adverse weather conditions.
It was stated that the first officer Merve Nur Seraslan's assessment that the doors in the boarding area were not suitable was recorded.
How locking the doors affects the evacuation of passengers in case of a possible emergency is being examined within the scope of the investigation.
EVACUATION VIDEO WAS REQUESTED FROM THE COMPANY, BUT NOT SENT
Findings that passengers were not sufficiently informed about the use of life jackets and emergency evacuation were also brought to the agenda at the hearing.
It was stated that images regarding the safe abandonment of the ship, the use of life jackets and evacuation procedures were requested from the company but were not sent.
It was reported that the speech of the second captain Merve Nur Seraslan regarding the evacuation video not being sent was also recorded in the VDR records.
It is also being investigated what training the crew received on emergency evacuation and the use of lifesaving equipment.
WARNINGS REGARDING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE BEING EXAMINED
It was announced in the court that there were conversations showing that the evaluations that the ship should not sail in bad weather conditions were conveyed to the company officials.
Within the scope of the investigation, it is being investigated when these warnings were made, what information was conveyed to the company management and under what conditions the decision to sail was taken.
The company's responsibilities in eliminating technical malfunctions on the ship and ensuring passenger safety are also under investigation.
FINDINGS THAT THE BLACK BOX WAS CLOSED ON THE DAY OF THE DISASTER
Investigation police Mannaş stated that 42 days of the 68-day record on the VDR device were examined and that the work is continuing.
Mannas stated that there was evidence that the VDR device was turned off after the footsteps coming from the ship on August 30, when the disaster occurred.
Examination of the remaining parts of the records and evaluation of technical evidence continues.
INSPECTIONS OF THE PORTS DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO INVESTIGATION
At the hearing, it was stated that the Ports Department has the authority to inspect ships and detain them from sailing when necessary.
However, it was reported to the court that the ship was not detained from sailing by the Ports Authority due to existing malfunctions.
It is being investigated what inspections the institution carried out on the ship and whether technical malfunctions were reported to the relevant authorities.
An expert examination continues regarding the ship's compliance with the safety rules within the scope of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
3 YEAR OLD ANNI ASEL IS STILL WANTED
Information about the search and rescue efforts carried out after the disaster was also shared in the court.
It was stated that the Coast Guard and Coastal Police teams reached the scene in approximately 25 minutes.
It was reported that 28 people lost their lives in the disaster, the dead bodies of 27 people were found and the search for 3-year-old Anni Asel Hilaloğlu continues.
DETENTION OF 9 SUSPECTS WAS EXTENDED
Within the scope of the investigation, company director Ali Özdülger, first captain Mustafa Öz, second captain Merve Nur Seraslan, chief engineer Zeki Öz, second engineer Metin Gül and crew members Sertan Erol, Qadir Kuliyev, Vale Huvucadar and Raşat İbrahimov were brought to court.
It was stated that the investigation carried out against the suspects on the charge of "causing death as a result of negligence and carelessness" continues.
Investigation police officer Mehmet Mannaş stated that the technical expert reports have not been completed yet, there are statements to be taken and evidence to be examined, and requested that the detention period of the suspects be extended.
Considering that the investigation continues and evidence collection has not yet been completed, the court decided to keep 9 suspects in detention for 7 more days each.
