Families of missing ferry passengers demand answers at Kyrenia port

Kyrenia, Cyprus. Tensions rose outside the new port on Monday as families of people still missing after a ferry capsized off Cyprus’ northern coast demanded answers from authorities.

A makeshift camp was set up outside the port entrance, where dozens of people, mostly Turkish nationals, waited in the heat for news of their loved ones.

Confrontation at port entrance

The situation escalated when a vehicle with diplomatic registration plates attempted to leave the Turkish Cypriot security forces building next to the port entrance. People rushed to block the gate and prevent the vehicle from leaving.

Turkey’s ruling AK Party’s Cyprus representative, Ahmet Kaya, emerged from the building to speak with those gathered. Members of the crowd told him that no one would leave without first providing an explanation.

Families seek information

Kaya said Turkey was using all its resources to find those who remained missing, but the crowd said the information provided had been insufficient.

One person said the families needed a full explanation of the situation from those inside the building, including the president, MPs and dignitaries, while they waited outside in the heat.

He said they had been at the port for 24 hours and had received little news or information about their loved ones.

Search efforts continue

A distraught woman told Kaya that guests who had come to visit her were now at the bottom of the sea. She asked when the boat would be recovered.

Kaya responded that efforts were continuing, pointing to aircraft in the sky and boats at sea searching for those still missing.