Turkish Cypriot authorities waive fees and offer healthcare after Kyrenia ferry sinking

Kyrenia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot authorities will waive legal fees and healthcare costs for people affected by the passenger ferry sinking off the coast of Kyrenia last month, ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel announced on Sunday.

The measures include free legal support, waived judicial charges, public healthcare for eligible foreign nationals and assistance with temporary residence permits for survivors and families of the dead and missing.

Legal and healthcare support

Ustel said legal support would be provided through the Cyprus Turkish bar association, which published a list on Friday of lawyers willing to represent those affected by the disaster free of charge.

Court fees, levies, stamp duties and other judicial processing costs will be waived for lawsuits arising from the incident, he said.

Eligible foreign nationals will also have free access to public healthcare services until August 30, 2027, the one-year anniversary of the accident.

The measure follows the impact of the disaster on Turkish nationals, who account for 14 of the 15 people confirmed dead so far and 12 of the 13 people who remain unaccounted for.

Residency arrangements

The Turkish Cypriot authorities will facilitate temporary residence permits for survivors and for the families of those killed or missing, allowing them to follow court proceedings in person.

“Our people, who are enduring this immense grief, will not make the people who are already bearing the burden of grief bear the financial burden of justice,” Ustel said.

“No family will be forced to return to their home country and follow their case from thousands of kilometres away,” he said, adding that they would be able to remain, appear in court when necessary and follow proceedings in person.

Search and accountability

Ustel said the authorities were continuing efforts to locate those still missing and address legal, administrative and healthcare needs arising from the tragedy.

“Just as we stood by the families on the first day, we will continue to stand by them until the very end,” he said. “Those responsible will certainly be held accountable before the judiciary.”