Relatives of passengers missing or killed in the Filos Jet disaster confronted military personnel at Kyrenia harbour, calling for those responsible to step down and saying they did not believe the sinking was accidental.
Turkish Cypriot officials said efforts to reach and inspect the wreck would continue with additional support from a second Turkish vessel.
Officials meet relatives at Kyrenia harbour
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and “prime minister” Ünal Üstel boarded the Turkish search-and-rescue vessel İşin late on Tuesday afternoon. They also visited the families waiting at Kyrenia harbour for information about the missing passengers.
Speaking to relatives, Erhürman said an extremely delicate operation was under way and would require time. He added that a second vessel, the TCG Alemdar, was expected to arrive in Kyrenia on Wednesday to support the operation.
“I feel your pain in my heart. This is an indescribable pain,” Erhürman said.
He said all attention was focused on reaching the wreck and bringing to the surface anything that could be recovered.
Erhürman also said “judicial” procedures were progressing rapidly, while administrative and technical investigations were continuing. He pledged that the families would receive regular updates.
“Hopefully, we will be able to give you information at some point today,” he said. “If we do not achieve the desired results today, that does not mean we will give up. The work will continue tomorrow with the support of the second vessel.”
Underwater vehicle to examine wreck
The Turkish “ambassador” to the occupied areas, Ali Murat Başçeri, also accompanied Erhürman and Üstel aboard the İşin. They spoke with the vessel’s commander, Major Ulaş Cesur, about the ongoing operation and the next steps.
Once the wreck’s precise location has been established, the aim is to deploy a remotely operated underwater vehicle, or ROV, to obtain detailed images and examine the site.
Turkish Cypriot media reported that the images and data collected would be used to assess the wreck’s condition and continue efforts to locate the missing passengers.
Relatives demand resignations
Relatives of those missing, as well as some of the victims, were involved in verbal confrontations with military personnel outside the offices of the “administration” of the “military naval base” beside Kyrenia harbour, according to online Turkish Cypriot media.
Üstel and other “ministers” were inside the building, where the crisis management office was meeting.
Relatives outside called for the resignation of those responsible, arguing that the shipwreck had not occurred by chance.
One man told a Turkish Cypriot news website that his elder brother, who was among the dead, “was not simply killed. He was murdered.”
Support team sent to families
The “health ministry” sent a specialist support team to assist the families waiting at the harbour.
According to Kıbrıs Postası, the team includes one psychiatrist, three clinical psychologists and emergency doctors.
Authority responds to captain claims
The “ports authority” of the “transport ministry” said the captain of the sunken vessel holds a valid certificate until 30 October 2029 and is authorised to command vessels weighing up to 3,000 tonnes.
It rejected claims that the captain was unlicensed or that his certificate was invalid.
The authority added that anyone circulating altered information or documents would be reported to the “police”.
Source: CNA
