A death caused by a faulty Takata airbag occurred in northern Cyprus 18 months ago, according to Ayer Yarkiner, the “head” of the “chamber of mechanical engineers”, amid growing discussions about the issue in the Republic of Cyprus.
Yarkiner criticised the “government” for inaction, stating they “remained spectators” despite early warnings.
Speaking during an online broadcast with Kibris Postasi, he revealed that affected vehicle models containing problematic Takata airbags are also circulating in the occupied areas, where used vehicles reportedly undergo insufficient safety inspections.
The chamber had issued written warnings about the issue two years ago.
“An individual died due to the Takata airbag problem 18 months ago. The police requested a report from us, and we detailed the problem thoroughly. However, the administration took no measures to inform vehicle representatives in writing or to seek technical support from us”, Yarkiner said.
He explained that the primary cause of the Takata airbag malfunction is moisture absorption in the cushioning material.
“When the ammonium nitrate in the initiator expands, it increases pressure. This shatters the steel coating and causes the airbag mechanism to project towards the human body”, he said.
He said that while the issue has been resolved in the Republic of Cyprus, with manufacturer Takata covering replacement costs, the situation remains problematic in occupied Cyprus.
Yarkiner noted that Mazda lacks official representation in the region, making it impossible to inspect vehicles from this manufacturer.
He urged residents to have their vehicles checked by mechanical engineers and to seek solutions from their vehicle suppliers.
The engineer also highlighted that 40-45 people die annually in road accidents in occupied Cyprus, calling for mandatory airbag inspections to prevent potential accidents.
