The captain and seven crew members of the Filo Jet passenger ferry, along with a company employee, were brought before the Girne (Kyrenia) District Court on Monday as authorities investigate the maritime disaster that left 20 missing off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The high-speed passenger ferry, which was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members, capsized shortly after leaving Girne Port for Taşucu in Mersin on Sunday. A total of 241 people were rescued, while eight people have died and search-and-rescue operations continued for 20 others.
The defendants include the vessel’s captain, seven crew members and a company employee.
Following the identification proceedings, the judge ordered that seven additional people wanted on suspicion of “causing death through negligence” be brought before the court.
During their statements, the captain and crew members said the vessel capsized after its bow broke away as a result of waves, causing water to enter the ship. They maintained that there were no problems with the weather when the vessel departed and argued that the Filo Jet had the necessary certifications and permissions to operate, both in terms of navigation and administrative requirements.
The court ordered authorities to collect technical data, hear witnesses and complete other documentation related to the case. It also requested information on whether a separate investigation had been opened in Türkiye.
The exact cause of the disaster remains under investigation. The vessel began taking on water shortly after leaving Girne and capsized while attempting to return to port. The wreck subsequently sank to a depth of more than 500 meters (1,640 feet), complicating efforts to establish exactly what happened on board.
The investigation has also expanded beyond the circumstances of the sinking itself. TRNC Public Works and Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı said authorities would examine allegations made by survivors, including claims concerning the vessel's safety procedures and the conduct of the crew.
A separate investigation by the ministry is also expected to examine the ship's documents, seaworthiness, port permits and safety measures.
TRNC President Tufan Erhürman said authorities would identify any errors, negligence or misconduct related to the disaster, adding that search-and-rescue efforts would continue without interruption until the missing people are found.
TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said port officials who authorized the vessel to depart had been suspended and an investigation launched against them, stressing that any negligence or responsibility in the disaster would be identified and those responsible held accountable.
Türkiye has been supporting the ongoing search-and-rescue operation. Turkish Coast Guard and Naval Forces units, as well as personnel from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), have been involved alongside TRNC rescue teams.
Ayten Biçer said she felt her 12-year-old daughter, Saliha Miray Biçer, slip from her hands and disappear into the sea as the ferry overturned. Her 6-year-old son, Mehmet Asaf Biçer, was also among the 20 people still missing Monday.
Biçer said a suitcase fell on top of her as the vessel overturned, forcing her daughter from her grasp. She managed to catch Saliha Miray by the foot, but the girl’s shoes, covered in engine oil from the overturned vessel, slipped through her hands.
She described the scene aboard the ferry as chaotic, with passengers struggling to reach safety as the vessel began to overturn. She said diesel had spread across the floor, making it difficult for people to maintain their footing.
Biçer said her daughter had been holding her hand while Mehmet Asaf was holding on to his father, Hayri Biçer. She said she believes the children may have become trapped inside the vessel after it overturned.
The Biçer family had traveled to northern Cyprus for a vacation before boarding the ferry to return to Türkiye. Hayri and Ayten Biçer survived the disaster, while their two children remained missing.
Biçer also raised concerns about safety measures aboard the ferry, saying her children were not wearing life jackets.
She alleged that crew members had told passengers the storm would pass within about 20 minutes and that passengers were not properly provided with life jackets or emergency instructions.
Relatives of the missing gathered outside Girne Port Monday, anxiously waiting for updates as rescue teams continued searching the waters.
Some families sat silently and wept, while others repeatedly checked their phones for information. It remained unclear whether anyone was still trapped inside the ferry, which had sunk to the seabed more than 500 meters below the surface.
Debris from the vessel, including luggage and pieces of metal, remained scattered across the water.
