One more body has been recovered during search operations following the sinking of the high-speed passenger ship "Filo Jet," which was operating between Kyrenia Port and Taşucu Port in Mersin. With this latest development, the number of people who lost their lives in the accident has risen to 19.
According to a statement from the Prime Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, search efforts are ongoing for the 9 people who were reported missing following the incident.
The Filo Jet began taking on water from its bow shortly after departing from Kyrenia on Sunday, August 30, and sank while attempting to return to Kyrenia Port. It was announced that there were a total of 267 people on board, including passengers and crew, and that 239 people had been rescued following the accident.
The technical investigation process regarding the ship, the wreckage of which was located at a depth of 554 meters off the coast of Kyrenia, is also continuing. It has been reported that an expert committee has been invited from Turkey to evaluate the accident, but the ship's black box has not yet been reached.
It was stated that 9 people are in custody as part of the investigation. It was noted that 8 of those in custody are crew members and one is a company employee; among them are the ship's captain, M.Ö., and the first officer.
According to the procedure applied in the TRNC, following the initial detention period, suspects can be held in police custody for an additional three days by court order to allow the police to complete the investigation. At the end of this period, the release of the suspects or their reappearance in court with a request for additional detention or trial may be on the agenda.
News Source: 12punto
