Filo Jet inquiry: new details on steering failure and near-collision claims

An inquiry into the Filo Jet ship disaster, which killed 28 people off the coast of Girne on 30 August, has extended the detention of nine suspects by seven days. At the eighth hearing at the Girne District Court, police presented new findings from the ship's VDR recordings. The suspects are being investigated on charges of causing death through negligence and carelessness, and police said the charges could change as the investigation proceeds.

Police told the court that the VDR device holds a total of 68 days of recordings, and 12 days have been reviewed so far. Crew conversations reportedly mention a generator fault, lack of insulation, a problem with the steering system and water in the exhaust section. The second captain is reported to have said, "The ship should be taken for complete maintenance." Police also said a steering failure had been discussed among the crew more than once.

The court was also told that arrest warrants have been issued for seven more people, bringing the number of wanted persons to seven. Police said there is no direct recording of the moment of the accident, and that no definitive finding has yet been made on whether the accident could have been prevented.