Orhan Hasanoglu, head of the Azerbaijan-Cyprus Friendship Society, has said that three Azerbaijani citizens detained as part of an investigation into the deadly shipwreck off Girne in Northern Cyprus were not responsible for decisions concerning the vessel.

"The shipwreck on August 30 left eight people dead, while 240 people were rescued and the search for 19 passengers was continuing," Hasanoglu said, according to Report.

The Azerbaijani citizens - Valeh Gumbatov, Rashad Ibrahimov and Gadir Guliyev - are currently subject to an investigation as authorities gather evidence related to the accident.

Hasanoglu said the three Azerbaijanis working aboard the vessel were technical personnel and did not have the authority to make decisions bearing responsibility for the ship.

“Today, the second preparatory court hearing was held. However, the court is not yet at the stage of making a decision regarding the causes of the accident. Our citizens did not have the authority to make responsible decisions,” Hasanoglu said.

He explained that the initial court hearing resulted in a three-day detention order. However, he stressed that the measure does not mean the crew members, including the Azerbaijani citizens, have been found guilty.

Over the past three days, police have reportedly collected statements from around 100 people, including passengers, people involved in the incident and port personnel.

The court held its second preparatory hearing today and, citing insufficient evidence gathered so far, scheduled the next hearing for eight days later.

Hasanoglu also said the three Azerbaijani citizens risked their own lives while helping other people during the disaster.

“There are no materials concerning our citizens that contain elements of a crime. Guided by humanitarian principles, they helped the people there and tried to save them. They were not among those who left the vessel first,” he said.

Hasanoglu said that while the vessel’s captain and his assistant left the ship and were taken away in boats brought by civilians, the Azerbaijani crew members remained behind and continued trying to help passengers.

He added that lawyers are working to present the court with video footage, recordings and passenger testimony that could support the Azerbaijani citizens’ case.

“We will try to collect more materials over the next eight days, before the next hearing,” Hasanoglu said.