31.08.2026 11:30
The captain's testimony in court has emerged regarding the shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia, in which 8 people lost their lives and 18 people are still being searched for. While the captain and crew argued that the ship capsized after its bow broke off due to the waves, they claimed that there were no meteorological issues at the time of departure and that the vessel had the necessary navigational and administrative permits.
Following the accident off the coast of Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday, in which 8 people lost their lives when a passenger ship capsized, the captain, 7 crew members, and a company employee who were detained were brought before the Girne Accident Court. The captain's statement has emerged.
THEY WERE BROUGHT TO COURT
The judicial process has begun regarding the accident that occurred when the high-speed passenger sea bus named "Filo Jet," operating between Girne Port and Taşucu Port in Mersin, started taking on water from its front section shortly after departing from Girne around noon yesterday.
In addition to the detained captain M.Ö., crew members M.S, M.G, S.E, V.H, R.İ, Z.Ö., and K.K., along with company employee A.Ö., were brought before the Girne Accident Court.
After identification procedures, the judge requested that the 7 individuals sought on charges of "causing death by negligence" also be brought to court.
The judge announced that the hearing would resume at 11:30 after these 7 individuals were also brought in.
HOW THE CAPTAIN DEFENDED HIMSELF
In their statements to the court, the ship's captain and crew stated that the front of the ship broke off due to waves, causing it to capsize, and that this was how the accident began. They argued that according to meteorological data, there was no problem at departure, and that they had both navigational and administrative permits under the ship's certification.
The court requested the collection of technical data, the hearing of witnesses, the determination of whether an investigation had been launched in Turkey on this matter, and the completion of other documents.
THE SHIP THAT CAPSIZED OFF GIRNE
The high-speed passenger sea bus named "Filo Jet," operating on the route between Girne Port in the TRNC and Taşucu Port in Mersin, started taking on water from its front section shortly after departing from Girne around noon yesterday.
The ship capsized while trying to return to Girne Port.
While 241 people were rescued from the ship carrying 267 people, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members, 8 people lost their lives.
Search and rescue efforts continue for 18 people.