Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel announced that the captain and seven crew members of the passenger ship that sank off Kyrenia had been detained as part of an investigation into the incident.
In a written statement, Üstel said that all available resources had been mobilized to find the missing people after the ship sank. He said search and rescue efforts would continue without interruption until the missing people were found.
Numerous units join search and rescue efforts
Four coast guard boats, two helicopters, a patrol vessel and an assault boat assigned to the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces took part in the initial response. Diving teams from the Civil Defence Organization and the police, along with four search and rescue boats, also joined the efforts.
The operation was subsequently reinforced. Two aircraft, four helicopters, four unmanned aerial vehicles and four coast guard boats assigned by the Turkish Armed Forces are playing an active role in the search and rescue operations.
Investigation continues
Ünal Üstel announced that an investigation had been launched immediately after the incident and that the inquiry was continuing. Üstel said the incident was “the biggest maritime disaster” experienced by Cyprus.
Üstel said every aspect of the accident would be investigated, adding that any negligence would be uncovered and those responsible would be held accountable. The statement expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery.