İncirli: Government Must End Confusing and Inconsistent Briefing

İncirli said the most devastating and important dimension of the disaster was its human cost.

She expressed her condolences to those who lost their lives and said the loss of life, the trauma experienced by survivors and the suffering of families had created irreversible pain.

“The hearts of babies who have not yet begun to speak, young children, the elderly, those who have lost loved ones and those waiting anxiously for missing relatives have been left with wounds that cannot be healed,” she said.

İncirli stressed that search and rescue operations must continue without interruption.

She said the operations were being carried out with the involvement of state institutions, the military and support from Turkey, while private boats had also made a significant contribution.

“We appreciate the extraordinary efforts being made,” she said.

“THE PUBLIC WAS NOT INFORMED IN A TIMELY AND ADEQUATE MANNER”

İncirli said it was crucial during a crisis for all state institutions to stand by the public, meet their needs and provide accurate information.

She noted that humanitarian assistance had been delivered through municipalities and that psychologists and psychiatrists had also been involved in the response.

However, she argued that the psychosocial support network had not been established with the necessary speed, scope or coordination.

The public had also not been informed adequately or in a timely manner, she said.

“Questions were left unanswered. As a result, people became desperate,” İncirli said.

She highlighted the uncertainty faced by those affected, saying: “On one side, there are people anxiously waiting for their missing loved ones; on the other, there are people who do not know how they will return home.”

“THE INCIDENT ALSO HAS A POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY”

İncirli said disasters such as this did not occur by themselves and that individuals and institutions responsible for the circumstances leading to the incident must be identified.

She said the disaster therefore also carried political responsibility.

“It is critically important, from this point forward, that every responsible party is investigated swiftly, transparently and credibly and held accountable before the law,” she said.

“THE WORLD IS WATCHING US”

İncirli stressed that the disaster had not only humanitarian and political dimensions but also an international security dimension.

She said the incident was being closely followed around the world and that the government therefore needed to act with the seriousness expected of a state.

“The government must act with the awareness and seriousness that the world is watching us,” İncirli said.

“I would once again stress the importance of the government moving away, as soon as possible, from the scattered, contradictory and incomplete manner in which information is currently being provided.”