A Parliamentary investigation into the Filo Jet ferry disaster, which claimed 27 lives off the coast of Girne on 30 August, has identified possible shortcomings in maritime safety regulations, vessel inspections and government oversight that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Sunat Atun (pictured, top), the MP chairing the TRNC Parliamentary Investigation Committee, said he believed negligence may have occurred at several levels, although the committee has yet to reach its final conclusions. Its findings, which could shed light on whether the disaster was preventable, are expected to be published in early November.
Speaking to BRT television on Thursday, 15 October, Atun said the committee's work had highlighted potential weaknesses in the regulatory framework governing passenger vessels and their operation.
The inquiry is examining whether existing legislation adequately defines the safety standards vessels must meet, the qualifications required of crew members and the responsibilities of port authorities.
Atun also suggested that mandatory visual seaworthiness checks before passenger vessels depart could help prevent similar tragedies.
Representatives of Türk Loydu, the Turkish ship classification and certification organisation, have been invited to provide evidence about the ferry's technical condition and certification.
The committee is also liaising with police investigators, including over outstanding technical documents and reports requested from Türkiye.
Atun said the Parliamentary committee hopes to complete its work and publish its findings in early November, potentially after two further meetings.
The inquiry could provide important answers about whether the disaster resulted solely from failures involving the ferry and its operator, or whether wider shortcomings in maritime regulation and enforcement also played a part.
Search for three-year-old Anni Asel continues
While the investigations continue, one family is still waiting for the remains of its youngest victim to be found.
Three-year-old Anni Asel Hilaloğlu is the only person still missing following the disaster.
The specialist deep-sea recovery vessel Optimus Prime, which recovered 13 victims during its deployment, concluded its underwater operation on 10 October after its team reported that it had searched all the areas identified for examination.
The TRNC government has said the search for Anni Asel will continue under the Coast Guard and Security Forces Command.
All 27 recovered victims have now been formally identified through DNA testing, with the final identification confirmed on 9 October.
The wreck of the Filo Jet remains on the seabed at a depth of more than 500 metres. Its VDR was successfully recovered, but the vessel itself has not been raised.
Questions about accountability remain
More than six weeks after the tragedy, the latest court evidence and Parliamentary investigation are bringing renewed scrutiny to the safety of the Filo Jet and the circumstances in which it was permitted to operate.
Among the central questions are whether the ferry was seaworthy, whether its mechanical problems were adequately repaired, what its owners and management knew about those problems, and whether the authorities responsible for maritime safety fulfilled their obligations.
The missing black box recordings from the final voyage, the deleted company emails and the outstanding technical reports remain important elements of the police investigation.
The Parliamentary inquiry is expected to examine the wider regulatory and administrative failures that may have contributed to the disaster.
For the families of the 27 confirmed victims, and the relatives of Anni Asel, the search for answers and accountability continues.
