New development in the ship disaster in Kyrenia: TRNC Minister of Transport dismissed

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel made a press statement regarding the ship disaster that occurred off the coast of Kyrenia. Speaking about the search and rescue efforts, Üstel said that Turkey is supporting the operations with all its institutions and organizations. Üstel stated, "The President of Turkey and the Vice President of Turkey are providing full support to these search and rescue efforts with all institutions and organizations of the Republic of Turkey. In this direction, our second search and rescue ship, Alemdar, arrived today. It is more modern, more contemporary, and goes deeper," he said.

"The body of one of our 20 missing people has been reached"

Stating that they visited the TCG Alemdar and received information about the ongoing work, Üstel announced that the body of one person had been reached during the search efforts. Üstel said, "We had 20 missing people. The body of one of our 20 people has been reached. We took it, brought it here, and from here it was taken to Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital for identification. In the examinations conducted, it is assessed that the body is male and approximately 50 years old," he expressed.

Stating that the waiting families will be informed after the identification process, Üstel said, "Once again, may we all have our condolences. May God give patience."

"DNA samples will be taken from the families"

Üstel stated that there was no decomposition in the body recovered from the sea that would hinder identification and that experts are continuing their work at Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital. Üstel said, "There is no decomposition in the recovered body. The relevant experts are conducting identification work at Nalbantoğlu Hospital. Then, DNA samples will begin to be taken from the families," he said.

"The body was recovered with a remotely operated underwater vehicle"

Confirming that the body was recovered with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), Üstel pointed out that the depth of 550 meters is far beyond the capabilities of manned diving. Üstel said, "550 meters, no one can go down. Special divers can go down to 90 meters with special equipment. This place is 550 meters. That is why the search and rescue efforts are proceeding very slowly. We expect patience from all of you," he expressed.

"At 550 meters, the search is being conducted with the robot's lights"

Noting that the work is being carried out with difficulty at a depth of 550 meters where the ship, which is considered to be a wreck, is located, Üstel said that no other findings have been encountered other than the body recovered so far. Üstel said, "Because it is at 550 meters, it is very dark and the searches are being conducted entirely with the robot's lights. No other findings have been encountered yet other than this body. Our friends will continue their work 24/7 without stopping on a shift basis," he said.

Noting that the searches will continue with helicopters, ships, and other elements, Üstel emphasized that the work will continue uninterruptedly day and night.

"A technical investigation team from Turkey has arrived in the TRNC"

Announcing that the investigation into the ship disaster is also continuing, Üstel reported that the technical team requested from Turkey has arrived in the TRNC and has begun its work. Üstel said, "An investigation has been launched. Our police are continuing their investigation into this matter at full speed. Today, we requested a technical team from the Republic of Turkey for a new investigation. They have also arrived and started their work. We will clarify this issue as soon as possible," he said.

Emphasizing that if any negligence is detected regarding the accident, those responsible will be held accountable before the judiciary, Üstel said, "Whatever the slightest negligence is here and whatever caused any incident in this regard, everyone from the highest level to the lowest will be held accountable before the law," he expressed.

"9 people are under arrest"

Announcing that 9 people are under arrest within the scope of the investigation, Üstel said, "The investigation is ongoing. Whoever is guilty or negligent will be arrested accordingly. But there is no rule that just because an arrest has been made, everyone is guilty. The process will continue until the investigation is finished," he said.

"There is no government crisis"

Speaking about the situation of the government following the statements of TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı regarding his request for the lifting of his immunity, Üstel said that the coalition government continues its duty. Üstel said, "The government is continuing. In 90 days, our country has general elections and local elections. There is no government crisis at the moment," he expressed.

"MINISTER OF TRANSPORT DISMISSED"

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ünal Üstel announced that he has dismissed the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Erhan Arıklı, within the scope of the investigation carried out regarding the ship disaster that occurred off the coast of Kyrenia.

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, in a written statement, stated that search and rescue efforts are continuing in the ship disaster off the coast of Kyrenia, and announced that the body of one more person was reached as a result of the examinations carried out on the wreck by TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar. Üstel said, "Thus, while the number of our citizens who lost their lives according to official records has risen to 9, our number of missing persons has fallen to 19," he said.

Emphasizing that search and rescue efforts will continue uninterruptedly with the support of all of Turkey's institutions and organizations, Üstel said, "As we have said since the first moment the accident occurred; whoever is responsible, they will be held accountable for this," he expressed.

"I informed Arıklı that I dismissed him"

Announcing that the administrative measures taken within the scope of the investigation have been expanded, Üstel announced that the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Erhan Arıklı, has been dismissed. Üstel said, "At the point reached today, in order for our General Directorate of Police and our judicial authorities to conduct the investigation without leaving any room for doubt, I have decided to expand the suspension decisions we took after the accident. In this framework, I informed our Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Erhan Arıklı, that I have dismissed him," he said.

Stating that as Prime Minister, it is his duty to take the necessary administrative measures for the integrity of the investigation, Üstel said, "As the head of the executive, my duty is to take all necessary administrative measures for the integrity of the investigation and the relief of the public conscience," he expressed.

Üstel reported that in the coming period regarding the Ministry of Public Works and Transport duty carried out by Arıklı, action will be taken within the framework of the provisions stipulated by the Constitution and the powers it grants.

"It is not a political decision"

Emphasizing that the dismissal decision is not a political decision directed at the Rebirth Party (YDP), Üstel said, "I would especially like to state that this decision is not a political decision directed at the Rebirth Party, its corporate identity, or our brothers who have devoted themselves to the YDP," he said.

Noting that they have been working together with their coalition partners for four and a half years, Üstel thanked Arıklı for the services he has provided so far. Üstel said, "We worked together with Erhan Arıklı for four and a half years, and we signed many projects together on behalf of our country. I thank him for the services he has provided to our country so far. However, we cannot allow any suspicion to arise during such a heavy investigation process," he expressed.

"The presumption of innocence applies to everyone"

Underlining that the dismissal decision does not mean guilt, Üstel said, "No one we have dismissed or suspended can be declared guilty until the judiciary makes its decision. The presumption of innocence applies to everyone," he said.

Stating that the investigation will be carried out quickly, meticulously, and transparently, Üstel expressed that those who have negligence or responsibility will be held accountable in accordance with the decision to be made by the judiciary. Stating that their priority as a state is to reach the missing, to be with the families, and to reveal all the facts of the disaster, Üstel wished God's mercy on those who lost their lives and patience to their families and the people of the TRNC.