Üstel: No Negligence Will Be Covered Up, Those Responsible Will Be Held Accountable

Üstel said all available state resources had been mobilised with the support of Turkey and vowed that anyone found to have acted negligently or to bear responsibility for the disaster would be held accountable before justice.

In a statement, Üstel said the TRNC was facing one of the most painful maritime disasters in its history and that the immediate priority was to locate those still missing.

“We have mobilised all the resources of our state, together with the strong support of the Republic of Turkey, from the very first moment,” he said.

Üstel said he and the crisis team would continue to remain at Kyrenia Harbour to monitor and coordinate the ongoing operations.

Search Operations Continue by Air, Sea and Land

Üstel said search and rescue operations were continuing without interruption.

According to the operation plan, 15 vessels were taking part in the search at sea, with search areas determined based on sea currents and possible drift patterns.

Eight helicopters were operating on a rotating basis, while drones continued to scan the area. The operations would continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said.

Police were also conducting extensive searches along the coastline east and west of Kyrenia, while SAT commandos from Turkey had joined the operation.

Üstel said another search and rescue vessel was expected to arrive in the area the following day, allowing the SAT teams to contribute to underwater search operations.

He said eight people had so far been confirmed dead in the disaster.

“Rapid Response Prevented a Much Worse Tragedy”

Üstel said the fact that the accident occurred off the coast of Kyrenia had enabled emergency teams to reach the scene quickly.

He said the rapid response by the Coast Guard, security forces, Civil Defence and other search and rescue teams had resulted in many people being rescued alive.

Had the disaster occurred further from the coast, he said, reaching the scene and carrying out rescue operations would have taken considerably longer.

“We believe the rapid intervention in the first moments prevented a much heavier toll,” Üstel said.

“Those Responsible Will Answer Before Justice”

Üstel said judicial and administrative investigations were being carried out simultaneously to establish exactly how and why the disaster occurred.

He said the ship’s captain and eight other employees, including a company official, had initially been detained and brought before a court, with judicial proceedings continuing.

The relevant port officials who authorised the vessel to depart had also been suspended, placed under investigation and replaced by new officials, he added.

“I want to state this very clearly: whoever is found to have been negligent, at fault or responsible for this disaster will be identified,” Üstel said.

“Those found responsible as a result of the investigation, whoever they may be, will answer before justice. This tragedy will not go unpunished.”

Üstel said the government remained determined both to find those still missing and to establish the full truth behind the disaster.

“All state institutions are on the ground, and our work continues in full coordination with the Republic of Turkey,” he said.

He extended his condolences to the families and relatives of those who had lost their lives and said search and rescue operations would continue day and night until the missing were found.

“The judicial and administrative processes will continue with the same determination, and the truth will be revealed in all its aspects,” Üstel said.