Başarır: We Want the Allegations Investigated and Those Truly Responsible Held Accountable

“We want these allegations to be investigated by both countries. We want and expect those truly responsible to be held accountable,” Başarır said.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Başarır said a delegation from his party had travelled to the TRNC following the capsizing of the passenger vessel off Kyrenia.

Başarır, who was part of the delegation and briefed reporters on their findings, expressed condolences to those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

He said search operations for missing passengers and the wreck were continuing, adding that the authorities had responded quickly following the accident.

Başarır called for an investigation into the conditions under which the vessel was granted permission to operate.

“The allegations are extremely serious. There are very serious allegations concerning a previous accident, the restoration carried out afterwards, and claims that this ferry should never have been allowed to sail or carry passengers. We want these allegations to be investigated by both countries and those truly responsible to be held accountable. We want this and we are waiting for it,” he said.

Describing what survivors had told them during hospital visits, Başarır said, “The survivors told us, ‘We begged the captain to turn back, to turn back, but he did not listen to us.’ Everyone we spoke to said the same thing.”

He said there were allegations concerning deficiencies in the ferry itself, its technical team, the captain and the crew.

“We will follow up on all of these allegations. We will continue to monitor this incident with a delegation,” Başarır said.

Başarır also criticised the increase in airfares to the TRNC following the disaster.

He added that his party would also investigate the ship accident that occurred off Silivri today.

Noting that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) would reconvene in three weeks, Başarır claimed that the economy, which he described as “the people’s main problem”, had not been discussed during the summer.