Operations at Mersin International Port were temporarily suspended early on Friday after a workplace accident damaged a container carrying ethyl acrylate. Thirty-five people affected by the strong odour were placed under medical observation and were reported to be in good condition.
The incident occurred at around 2.20 am when a piece of machinery operating inside the port overturned onto a shipping container, damaging it.
According to preliminary assessments by the Turkish authorities, ethyl acrylate leaked from the container, causing a strong odour in the surrounding area.
Port operations were temporarily halted, while workers were evacuated as a precaution. Teams from Turkey’s disaster response agency AFAD, health services and other competent authorities were deployed to the scene.
Routes to the occupied areas
The temporary suspension of port operations has also drawn attention in Turkish Cypriot media to the possible impact on maritime connections with the occupied areas. Mersin port serves both passenger and commercial transport routes.
According to Akgünler Denizcilik’s published timetable, the R/R MARIN is scheduled to depart from Mersin for occupied Famagusta at 9.30 pm on Saturday, September 5.
No official announcement has so far been issued regarding the cancellation of the sailing or a change to its departure time.
Developments at the port are therefore being closely monitored, particularly regarding the full restoration of operations and whether delays could affect loading procedures or other port activities.
The company’s services to occupied Kyrenia operate mainly from the port of Taşucu and therefore do not appear to be directly affected by the incident at this stage.
Authorities report no dangerous readings
The Mersin Governor’s Office said the leaked substance was believed to be ethyl acrylate.
According to the statement, measurements carried out by AFAD’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response units did not detect any alarming or dangerous readings.
A safety zone was established around the site as a precaution, while the damaged container was quickly transferred to a specially designated and isolated secure area.
The Governor’s Office added that the 35 people affected by the strong odour were in good health and remained under medical observation as a precaution.
