New details from the maritime tragedy in Cyprus are shifting attention to the decision-making of port authorities, after the ferry was allowed to depart with 279 people on board even though, according to the official version, it had earlier been stopped because of poor weather conditions.
Departure was blocked, then allowed about an hour later
According to statements by Unal Ustel, prime minister of the Turkish Cypriot administration in northern Cyprus, the authority responsible for ports had initially not granted permission for the catamaran “Filo Jet” to depart because of unfavorable weather.
But only about an hour later, the same vessel was given the green light to sail from Kyrenia to Tasucu, in Turkey’s Mersin province. It is precisely this rapid change in the decision that has raised the main questions over the criteria used and institutional responsibility.
Minutes after departure, the drama at sea began
After leaving port, when it was about four nautical miles from the coast, the catamaran began taking on water.
The vessel then developed a heavy list, capsized and eventually sank at a depth of about 514 meters. There were 279 people on board.
Demand for documents and the chain of signatures
Reactions in northern Cyprus have focused on the fundamental question: if the vessel was considered unfit to sail because of the weather, on what basis was it allowed to depart only an hour later.
Turkish Cypriot journalist Aisemden Akin has called for the publication of documents related to the catamaran’s departure, including the departure order, inspection reports and the authorization for operating the route.
Authorities responsible for ports under pressure
Another point that remains unanswered is who ultimately signed the departure permit, at a time when weather conditions had been the initial reason for stopping the ferry.
The Ports Department, the institution responsible for the relevant checks, falls under the authority of the minister responsible for Transport, Erhan Arikli. This has centered public debate on the chain of decision-making that led to the departure of the “Filo Jet” from port.
Investigations are expected to clarify not only the circumstances of the sinking, but also whether the authorization to sail was given in contradiction to the initial weather assessment.
So far, the biggest question remains unchanged: why was a ferry that was initially stopped allowed to depart shortly afterward, with fatal consequences.