Preliminary report on Kyrenia ferry sinking to be published soon

Kyrenia, Cyprus. A preliminary report on the investigation into the sinking of a passenger ferry off the coast of Kyrenia will be published “as soon as possible”, Turkish Cypriot leader Unal Ustel said on Wednesday. Nine people, including the ferry’s captain Mustafa Oz and seven crew members, remain in custody and are due in court on Thursday.

Investigation

Ustel made the statement after meeting Durali Isler of Turkey’s Transport Ministry marine accident investigation department.

He said authorities had shown a “clear and firm resolve” from the first day and would take all necessary steps to clarify every aspect of the incident. He said Turkish Cypriot authorities were working in full cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities in Turkey.

Technical examinations

Ustel said technical examinations of the disaster and the ferry would be carried out and that all findings would be evaluated meticulously.

He said no detail would be overlooked and no negligence would be covered up. Any negligence, fault or liability, regardless of its source, would be brought to light, he said.

According to Ustel’s office, Turkish authorities, led by the Transport Ministry and directed by Ustel, will conduct the examinations needed to determine the technical causes of the incident.

Responsibility

Ustel said the authorities had a responsibility towards those who died and their grieving families. He said he would personally oversee the process to ensure the facts were fully established and those responsible identified.

Earlier, he said every aspect of the incident would be investigated and even the slightest negligence uncovered. He said all state resources had been mobilised to ensure the investigation and technical examination processes were carried out thoroughly and effectively.