The captain of the Filo Jet ferry, which sank off the coast of Girne on Sunday, has been arrested amid claims he abandoned the vessel as it capsized. At least eight people died and 20 remain missing following the disaster that left 267 passengers and crew aboard.
Mustafa Oz, 66, was identified as the captain as he and seven crew members, along with a shareholder in the operating company, appeared in court Monday. They face arrest warrants as part of a wide-ranging investigation into the sinking on suspicion of causing death through negligence.
Survivors have claimed that the captain ignored warnings that the ferry was taking on water before abandoning ship. Turkish Cypriot transport minister Erhan Arikli confirmed Oz's identity as the captain and stated he was prepared to resign if necessary.
Investigators are examining the ferry's technical condition before departure, its navigation and safety permits, and have taken statements from over 100 individuals. Footage from before and after the sinking is also under review.
Reports from crew members suggest the ferry's 'bow section broke off', prompting technical examinations to determine the cause of the sinking. The vessel, a double-hulled ferry, reportedly took on water and flipped over shortly after departing from Kyrenia. Rescuers pulled 239 people to safety, but the search for the missing continues in waters over 500 meters deep.
Survivors recounted terrifying experiences, with one woman describing how her 12-year-old daughter slipped from her grasp and disappeared amid the chaos. The daughter, Miray, and her six-year-old brother, Mehmet Asaf, are among the missing. The mother stated that a suitcase fell on her daughter, forcing her from her grasp, and her daughter's oil-coated shoes slipped from her hand as she tried to hold on.
One rescued passenger, in his 50s, told local media that the front of the boat 'exploded' and side windows blew out as it took on water. He stated that he saw the captain among the first to abandon ship without organizing any rescue efforts.
Initial reports indicate the privately owned ferry had been scheduled to travel to Turkey on Saturday but was delayed due to poor weather. The seas were still rough on Sunday when the incident occurred. Debris, including a wheelie suitcase and a sheet of steel, remained scattered on the water on Monday. Authorities are attempting to recover the ferry's black box recorder to aid the investigation.