Catamaran disaster off Kyrenia leaves nine dead as 19 remain missing
Search operations continued for a fourth day as political developments unfolded following the fatal catamaran disaster off Kyrenia.
Kyrenia, Cyprus. Search operations continued for a fourth day after a catamaran sank off Kyrenia, leaving nine people dead and 19 missing. The disaster has also triggered political developments in the occupied north.
Search operation continues
The sunken catamaran has been located at a depth of around 550 metres. Some of those missing are believed to remain trapped inside the wreck.
Two Turkish vessels are participating in the operation, with searches continuing overnight.
Another body, initially believed to be that of a man aged around 50, was recovered, raising the death toll to nine.
Political developments
Erhan Arikli was removed from his post as the self-styled “minister of public works and transport” following criticism over the disaster and responsibility attributed to the relevant authorities.
Shortly afterwards, the Renaissance Party (YDP), led by Arikli, announced that it was withdrawing from Unal Ustel’s “government.”
Arikli is wanted under an international arrest warrant over the killing of Tassos Isaac during anti-occupation protests in Deryneia in August 1996.
Turkish vice-president visit
Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yilmaz is due to arrive in the occupied north in the afternoon. He is expected to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and relatives of the missing, as well as hold a meeting with Ustel before departing.
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