The deadly catamaran disaster off Kyrenia has triggered political turmoil in the occupied north, as search operations for those still missing continue into a fourth day.
Political developments accelerated after Erhan Arikli was removed from his post as the self-styled “minister of public works and transport.” Shortly afterwards, the Renaissance Party (YDP), which Arikli leads, announced it was withdrawing from Unal Ustel’s “government.” Arikli had already faced intense criticism over the catamaran disaster and the responsibility attributed to the relevant authorities.
Arikli is wanted under an international arrest warrant over the killing of Tassos Isaac during anti-occupation protests in Deryneia in August 1996.
Search operations at sea are continuing without interruption. The sunken catamaran has been located at a depth of around 550 metres, and some of the missing are believed to still be trapped inside the wreck. Two Turkish vessels are taking part in the operation, with searches continuing through the night.
After another body was recovered, believed from initial assessments to be that of a man aged around 50, the death toll rose to nine, with 19 people still missing.
Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yilmaz is due to arrive in the occupied north this afternoon. He is expected to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and relatives of the missing, and to hold a meeting with Ustel before departing.
