TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel made a written statement regarding the passenger ship that capsized off the coast of Kyrenia.
Üstel announced that the ship captain and 7 officers were detained regarding the incident in question.
"Every aspect of this incident will be investigated," said Üstel, adding, "If there is even the slightest negligence, it will be revealed. No matter who is at fault or responsible, no matter who is responsible, no matter what."
"INVESTIGATION WAS STARTED IMMEDIATELY"
Üstel's explanation is as follows:
"We are faced with a tragic accident that has gone down in history as the biggest maritime disaster experienced by Cyprus. Our pain is great. I wish God's mercy to the people we lost, patience and condolences to their families and relatives, and a speedy recovery to our injured.
From the first moment the accident occurred, all the resources of our state were mobilized. In the first intervention, 4 Coast Guard boats, 2 helicopters, 1 patrol ship of the Turkish Peace Forces, 1 attack boat, diver teams of our Civil Defense and Police Organization and 4 accompanying search and rescue boats participated in the work.
Search and rescue capacity has been further strengthened in the process. Currently, 2 aircraft, 4 helicopters, 4 UAVs and 4 Coast Guard boats assigned by the Turkish Armed Forces in the region are actively participating in search and rescue efforts.
KTBK Command, GKK Command, elements sent from the Turkish Armed Forces, T.R. The Coast Guard Command of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, our Police Department and our Civil Defense Organization continue their work in great coordination.
In a short time, a search and rescue ship affiliated with the Naval Forces, which has the capacity to search up to 1000 meters deep and reach the shipwreck, will also reach the TRNC and take part in the work.
We are searching with all our means, from the air, from the sea and under the sea. We will not leave even a single opportunity unused. Our search and rescue efforts will continue uninterruptedly until we reach our missing people.
The President of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, also called me and expressed his sadness about the great disaster; He expressed his condolences to me and our people and stated that the Republic of Türkiye is ready to provide unlimited support in every field needed.
The Vice President of Türkiye, Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz, has been in constant consultation with us since the first moment of the accident and has been following the process closely.
The Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, also called me and expressed his deep sadness and condolences for the great disaster and stated that they were with the Turkish Cypriot people on this difficult day.
On behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, I would like to thank the Republic of Turkey, the Government of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mr. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, who has been with us from the first moment in this great pain, and MHP Chairman Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, who expressed their solidarity.
While our search and rescue efforts continue, an investigation has been launched immediately to reveal how this disaster occurred. The ship captain and 7 officers were detained.
I am saying this very clearly: Every aspect of this incident will be investigated. Even the slightest negligence will be revealed. No matter who is at fault or responsible, no matter what. Clarifying all aspects of this great disaster is both the duty of our state and its responsibility towards our lost people and their families.
Our pain is great today. However, our state is on duty with all its institutions. Now we are focused with all our strength on reaching our losses, healing our wounds and revealing all the facts of this great disaster. Once again, I wish God's mercy to our lost people, patience to their families and relatives, and a speedy recovery to our injured. Our prayers are for the people we are looking for to be reached as soon as possible.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The cruise ship with 267 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Kyrenia, TRNC, at noon today.
Following the incident, a search and rescue operation was launched in the region. While 8 people have lost their lives in the accident so far, 17 people have not been heard from yet.
