Anger grows as 20 remain missing after ferry sinks off Kyrenia

Kyrenia, Cyprus. Anguish turned to anger on Tuesday as 20 people remained missing for a third day after a ferry sank off the coast of Kyrenia.

Ahmet Bayhan, whose brother Mehmet remains unaccounted for, criticised Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities while waiting for news at Kyrenia port.

Calls for accountability

Bayhan shouted towards the Turkish Cypriot security forces building next to the new port, accusing authorities of responsibility for his brother’s disappearance.

“They claim that if there is negligence, the necessary steps will be taken. This is not negligence, it is murder. My brother did not die, he was killed. He did not drown, you drowned him. Get that into your heads,” he said.

He also demanded that the north’s transport minister meet relatives waiting at the port. The minister had not travelled to Kyrenia on Monday and had not been seen there by midday on Tuesday.

Minister’s response

Bayhan said the minister should not be allowed to resign without being held accountable.

Transport minister Erhan Arikli said on Monday that he would resign “if necessary”.

“I will resign if necessary, but trying to attack someone from the very beginning is unethical. Be patient. Once the black box is found, everyone, including myself, will bear whatever political responsibility there may be,” he told the north’s public broadcaster BRT.