The number of people who lost their lives on the ship, which capsized off the coast of Kyrenia at noon on Sunday, August 30, has increased to 9, and the search for the 19 missing people continues. On the other hand, TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel announced that Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı was dismissed, and his coalition partner, Rebirth Party, decided to withdraw from the government.
Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, made a statement regarding the ship accident that occurred off the coast of Kyrenia.
Üstel said, "Our dear people, we have been working tirelessly to serve our people since the first day I took responsibility for governing this honorable country. No power, no slander, no smear could and will not turn me from this path. Our only desire is to serve this country well, to be worthy of the trust of our people and to leave a future for our children to live in safety. As a three-party coalition government, with great devotion, we have solved many of the fundamental problems of our country that have accumulated over the years and introduced important investments and projects to our people. But today "We are experiencing the pain of a very painful accident that shook us all deeply. At this point, I would like to share an important development with you. As a result of the investigations carried out by the TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar ships participating in our search and rescue activities, we have found another body. Thus, according to official records, the number of citizens who lost their lives increased to 9, while the number of casualties decreased to 19."
Emphasizing that search and rescue efforts continue uninterruptedly, Üstel said, "Our search and rescue efforts continue and will continue with all our means and the strong support of all institutions and organizations of the State of the Republic of Turkey. As we said from the first moment the accident occurred: Whoever is responsible will be held accountable. This has been the clear message that both the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and I have given to the Turkish Nation. At the point reached today, our General Directorate of Police and judicial authorities have completed the investigation beyond any doubt." I have decided to extend the dismissal decisions we made after the accident, so that it can be carried out without causing any harm.
In this context, I informed him that I had dismissed our Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Erhan Arıklı. As the head of the executive branch, my duty is to take all necessary administrative measures for the safety of the investigation and the relief of public conscience. First of all, as a father and Prime Minister, I carry in my heart the pain of each of our citizens who lost their mother, father, child and brother.
Regarding the position of TRNC Ministry of Public Works and Transport held by Mr. Erhan Arıklı, action will be taken within the framework of the provisions stipulated by the Constitution and the powers it grants. I would especially like to express that this decision is not a political decision towards our brothers who are devoted to the Rebirth Party, its corporate identity or YDP.
We have been serving this country together with our coalition partners for four and a half years. They also contribute to the works we produce and the reforms we carry out. We worked together with Mr. Erhan Arıklı for four and a half years, and we carried out many projects together on behalf of our country. I would like to thank him for the services he has provided to our country so far. "However, we cannot allow any suspicion to arise during such a serious investigation process."
The Rebirth Party (YDP), the coalition partner in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), decided to withdraw from the government. YDP Chairman Erhan Arıklı announced at the press conference he held after his dismissal that they left the government with the decision of the Party Assembly.
Arıklı said that they will notify Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in writing about their decision tomorrow. Arıklı thanked Prime Minister Üstel, describing the decision to dismiss him as "an opportunity I have been waiting for for two years." Stating that they do not want to have a political discussion at this stage due to the sea accident, Arıklı said, "There is a lot to say, but we have 19 people missing."
