7 additional days of arrest for 9 suspects in ship accident in TRNC

9 suspects, who were detained in the investigation into the shipwreck that occurred on August 30 off the city of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), were brought before the Kyrenia District Court for the eighth time today. Considering that the investigation is continuing, the court decided to keep the suspects in custody for 7 more days.

At the hearing held before Judge Mine Gündüz Serden, new evidence regarding the 'causing death as a result of imprudence and carelessness' investigation carried out against the company official, captains, machinists and crew was presented to the court.

At the hearing, it was announced that there were 68 days of records in the ship's navigation data recorder (VDR), and 12 days of them were examined. It was stated that the recordings contained conversations about technical problems in the ship's generator, steering system and exhaust insulation. The words of the captain, which were recorded as "The ship is not a ship, the rudder is not a rudder", attracted attention. In addition, it was reported to the court that some e-mails stated to have been sent to company officials regarding the malfunctions on the ship were deleted and their contents were tried to be determined. It was reported that police investigations revealed that no notification was made to the Port Authority regarding the ship's technical problems.

TECHNICAL INSPECTIONS AND EXPEDITION PERMITS UNDER SPOTLIGHT

At the hearing, it was announced that in addition to technical malfunctions, the expert reports and documents expected from Türkiye had not yet been completed. It was noted that within the scope of the investigation, new statements will be taken from technical experts and the examination of VDR records will continue.

Relatives of those who lost their lives in the accident and the still missing passenger gathered in front of the Kyrenia Accident Court during the hearing. The families protested outside the court and demanded that those responsible be revealed and justice be provided.

The ship, which departed from Kyrenia Port to Mersin's Taşucu Port on August 30 with 259 passengers and 8 crew, took on water and capsized shortly after leaving the port. While 239 people were rescued in the accident, the dead bodies of 27 people were found. The search for 3-year-old Anni Asel Hilaloğlu, who has not been found yet, continues by the Coast Guard.