New black box recordings from the Filo Jet disaster reveal crew discussions on critical technical failures before the tragic sinking.
Striking recordings from the black box in the Filo Jet disaster
In the investigation regarding the Filo Jet passenger ship that sank off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on August 30, 2026, new findings have emerged concerning the technical condition of the vessel. During the eighth hearing held at the Kyrenia Criminal Court, audio recordings obtained from the vessel's Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) were presented to the court. The recordings revealed that the captain and crew discussed malfunctions in the ship's steering system, generator, and other technical equipment prior to the accident.
While the bodies of 27 individuals have been recovered, it has been reported that three-year-old Anni Asel Hilaloğlu is still missing. Thus, the total number of those reported dead and missing in the disaster has reached 28.
Nine suspects, including the company manager, captain, first officer, and crew members, who have been detained as part of the investigation, were brought back before the judge on October 16.
Captain's words in the black box recordings
Police Inspector Assistant Mehmet Mannaş, who testified at the hearing, stated that the examination of the audio recordings obtained from the VDR, known as the black box of the ship, is still ongoing.
The device contains a total of 68 days of audio recordings, of which only a 12-day segment has been analyzed so far.
According to information presented in court, it was determined that Captain Mustafa Öz used the following expression while evaluating the technical issues: 'This ship is not a ship; the steering is not a steering.'
It was also reflected in the recordings that Second Officer Merve Nur Seraslan stated that the ship needed to be completely taken out of service for maintenance.
The audio recordings revealed that technical problems such as generator malfunctions, issues with the steering system, deficiencies in exhaust insulation, and the presence of water in the exhaust section were discussed among the crew.
However, it has not yet been confirmed to what extent these malfunctions contributed to the sinking of the ship. Technical examinations as part of the investigation are ongoing.
Collision risk due to steering malfunction
The recordings presented in court also included discussions indicating that the Filo Jet had previously experienced a serious steering malfunction.
According to the crew's statements, it was noted that during an incident where the ship's steering locked, it was approximately 200 to 300 meters away from colliding with another vessel coming from the opposite direction.
It was reported that panic ensued on the ship during this incident, and the crew expressed their concerns regarding the vessel's maneuverability.
The police are also investigating another collision incident in which the ship may have been previously involved. The circumstances under which the damages reported on the ship occurred and how the repairs were carried out are being examined.
Malfunctions not reported to the port authority
One of the significant findings that emerged from the investigation is that the technical issues on the ship were not reported to the official authorities.
According to information provided in court, it was determined that no notification was made to the Directorate General of Coastal Safety regarding the malfunctions in the ship's steering system and other equipment.
It was also revealed that there were conversations in the black box recordings indicating that company officials were aware of the malfunctions.
The police are investigating when the company management learned about which technical issues and what measures were taken in response.
Emails sent to company executives deleted
Emails reportedly sent by the second officer to company officials have also been taken under examination as part of the investigation.
In court, it was announced that records related to these emails were obtained, but their contents could not be viewed.
Upon determining that the emails had been deleted, data recovery efforts were initiated by units related to cyber crimes.
Since the content of the messages has not yet been revealed, it has not been definitively determined which malfunctions were reported in these correspondences and how the company management responded.
Black box stopped two days before the accident
It was also brought to light in the investigation that the VDR device's recordings stopped on August 28, two days before the ship sank.
The police are investigating why the device ceased recording.
The crew, who were on board the ship, stated that no foreign person entered the ship during that period.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the recording device stopped due to a technical malfunction or if it was turned off by a person.
It was reported that the recording device belonging to the ship's security cameras could not be accessed.
Ship parts to be examined by experts
As part of the investigation, it has been decided that the ship parts retrieved from the sea will be examined by experts.
Particular attention is being paid to the structural integrity of the ship, any collision damages that may have occurred in the past, repairs made, and the reasons for taking on water.
Defense attorneys argue that some of the technical malfunctions discussed in the recordings pertain to systems in the rear section of the ship, asserting that these issues do not directly explain the ship's sinking due to taking on water from the front section.
The exact cause of the accident will be clarified after the completion of technical examinations and expert evaluations.
Nine suspects to remain in custody for seven more days
The Kyrenia Criminal Court has decided that the nine suspects will remain in custody for an additional seven days for the continuation of the investigation and the examination of new evidence.
An investigation is being conducted against the suspects on charges of causing death due to negligence and carelessness.
The police stated that the scope of the investigation could be expanded based on new evidence obtained, and additional individuals may also be called for testimony.
Search efforts for missing child continue
While the bodies of 27 individuals who lost their lives in the disaster have been recovered, search efforts for three-year-old Anni Asel Hilaloğlu have yet to yield results.
It was reported that the vessel named Optimus Prime, which was conducting deep-sea searches, has left the area due to the end of its mission, and the search efforts will be continued by the Coast Guard Command.
Relatives of the deceased are demanding that the responsibility for the accident not be limited solely to the ship's personnel, but that those responsible for the ship's technical inspections and voyage permits also be investigated.
Families are requesting clarification on why the ship continued to operate despite having experienced technical issues in the past and whether the necessary inspections were carried out.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
