Cyprus Disaster: Recordings Reveal Discussions About Filo Jet Ferry Failures

The disaster in Cyprus, in which the Filo Jet ferry sank, has a new twist: on-board recordings show conversations about problems with the generator, exhaust system, and steering. The information was presented on October 16th before the Turkish Cypriot Administrative Court in Kyrenia. According to Yenidüzen, the deputy captain spoke of the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the vessel.

The latest death toll from the August 30 disaster is 27. Three-year-old Anni Asel Hilaloğlu has still not been found. The detention of nine suspects has been extended by seven days, until the next hearing scheduled for October 23. The investigation is ongoing, and the information provided does not determine the cause of the sinking or the culpability of any specific individuals.

Cyprus disaster – what do the Filo Jet recordings reveal?

During Friday's hearing, police presented information obtained from the vehicle's data recorder, known as a black box. According to Yenidüzen, the device contains 68 days of footage. So far, 12 days of recordings have been analyzed.

The conversations include references to generator, control, and exhaust system insulation faults. There's also mention of water in the exhaust section of the unit.

The deputy captain reportedly indicated that the vessel required a comprehensive overhaul. The recordings are crucial for determining the ferry's technical condition and who was aware of its problems before the last voyage.

Steering problems during previous trip

One of the recorded conversations concerned a situation in which a steering failure allegedly led to a dangerous approach to another vessel during an earlier voyage.

The recordings also revealed an incident involving another captain in the Yumurtalık area of Turkey's Adana Province. Investigators are determining the circumstances of the incident and its significance to the ongoing investigation.

The involvement of a mechanic who, according to information presented in court, was aware of the vessel's technical problems is also being investigated. The mere mention of this individual does not constitute confirmation of their responsibility for the disaster.

The black box did not record the day of the sinking.

Important information was already presented during the meeting on October 9. According to the Cyprus Mail, the last available recording was from August 28, 8:39 p.m. — two days before the disaster.

This means that the conversations discussed here are from an earlier period. They do not record the ferry's final moments or directly record the course of the sinking.

Investigators are still investigating why the device stopped recording data. The recordings could help reconstruct the crew's prior knowledge of the ship's condition, but they need to be cross-referenced with other evidence.

27 victims. The girl has still not been found.

The Filo Jet sank on August 30 after sailing from Kyrenia in northern Cyprus towards Taşuc, Turkey. There were 259 passengers and eight crew members on board.

In our October 6th publication, we reported 21 confirmed fatalities and seven missing persons. According to the latest reports, the death toll has risen to 27, with Anni Asel Hilaloğlu the only person still missing.

On Friday, relatives of the victims and the missing girl gathered again in front of the courthouse, demanding an explanation for the tragedy and justice.

Nine people remain in custody

The investigation involves the captain, seven other crew members, and the operating director, Filo Denizcilik. Suspected manslaughter due to negligence and carelessness are suspected.

In parallel, research is being conducted on the recovered parts of the vessel. This will complement the analysis of the recordings and help determine the ferry's actual technical condition.

At this stage, a distinction must be made between discussing the defects, their technical assessment, and determining their relationship to the sinking. Information presented during the hearing expands the investigation's evidence but does not replace the final findings regarding the causes of the Cyprus disaster.