Erhan Arikli has defended his handling of the deadly shipwreck off Kyrenia, denying any responsibility for the disaster and criticising those calling for his removal as “minister of public works and transport”.
Speaking before the so-called parliament, Arikli said no specific action or omission linking him to the incident had been presented.
“If I bear even the slightest responsibility, forget resigning from the ministry, I will even resign as an MP,” he said.
Arikli cites other maritime disasters
Responding to calls for his resignation, Arikli referred to maritime disasters in other countries, particularly Turkey.
“A ship also sank in Turkey and ten people lost their lives. Why did no one say then that the minister should resign?” he asked.
According to Arikli, the vessel departed at around noon and began taking on water approximately 20 minutes later. An attempt was made to request assistance within the following five to ten minutes, although he claimed the SOS signal transmitted did not meet the required specifications.
Arikli said that after the disaster he travelled to the area with Unal Ustel, the Turkish Cypriot leader and other “officials”, where they monitored the search and rescue operation for several hours. They subsequently attended a meeting at the crisis management centre until late in the evening.
“I was targeted from the outset”
Arikli claimed he was portrayed as responsible as soon as reports emerged on social media that the vessel had sunk or was at risk of sinking.
He said allegations were made that he had authorised the vessel’s departure, that it was not seaworthy, that the captain’s certificates were invalid and that the voyage took place despite adverse weather conditions.
Arikli rejected the allegations, saying he had planned to hold a press conference with “ministry” officials the following day to publicly present the relevant documents. However, he claimed that Ustel asked him not to proceed.
He said political and trade union pressure subsequently intensified, with parties and organisations calling for his resignation on the grounds of political responsibility.
“Which rule did I abolish?”
Arikli insisted that during his term he had not abolished any regulation or changed any procedure in a way that could be linked to the shipwreck.
“What mistake did I make? Which rule or procedure that had previously been applied successfully did I abolish, causing the disaster? Did I introduce a new rule or change the legislation so that Erhan Arikli should have to resign? Let someone come forward and say what mistake I made and what omission they attribute to me,” he said.
He also claimed that warnings had been sent to companies operating maritime transport services during the first months of his term.
Arikli said official letters were sent to Akgünler Denizcilik and Filo Denizcilik on 18 March 2022, asking them to address discrepancies between the classification certificates of certain vessels and records held by the so-called Ports Department, as well as shortcomings involving safety issues.
He specifically referred to the Ro-Ro vessels Toros, Beşparmak and Via Famagusta, which he said had been instructed to correct identified deficiencies.
Türk Loydu conducted technical inspection
Responding to criticism that technical inspections should be conducted by the so-called Ports Department, Arikli said the service did not have inspectors with the necessary technical expertise.
He said responsibility for the technical inspection and classification of vessels had been assigned to Türk Loydu under a protocol dating from 2003, which was subsequently renewed.
Arikli claimed the vessel involved in the disaster had been inspected by Türk Loydu in 2024 and issued with a classification certificate.
“That is the organisation which must provide answers,” he said.
Questions over the captain’s licence
Arikli also addressed reports that the captain’s licence, issued in Honduras, was invalid.
He said Turkey does not directly recognise licences issued by Honduras because no bilateral agreement exists, but may accept them if their equivalence has first been recognised by another country.
Arikli also claimed that documents submitted to the so-called Ports Department are not automatically accepted but are checked through the competent maritime authorities in the issuing country and the International Maritime Organization.
He added that the process concerning the captain’s licence had begun before his term and claimed the licence was also considered valid in court documents.
Weather “did not prevent departure”
Arikli maintained that no meteorological data prohibited the vessel from departing on the day of the disaster.
He said weather bulletins were issued daily and, according to him, there were no conditions preventing departure that day.
He nevertheless referred to rough seas on the previous day, arguing that any risks from strong waves or objects in the water should have been assessed by the captain.
Any responsibility held by the captain or crew would be examined by the court, he said.
“I am not responsible, nor is the ministry or the Ports Department, for any possible negligence by the captain or crew,” Arikli added.
Arikli accuses coalition partners of betrayal
At the end of his speech, Arikli criticised the “government” coalition partners, the National Unity Party (UBP) and Democratic Party (DP), accusing them of abandoning his Rebirth Party (YDP) over the shipwreck.
He said he had supported joint decisions throughout their coalition, including in cases where he may not have fully agreed with them.
“We stood together through every problem. Because we were together, I even defended mistakes. But in this case, unfortunately, both the UBP and DP stabbed the YDP in the back,” he said.
“I am deeply saddened. Society sees it, our supporters see it, and when the time comes, they will demand accountability.”
“Our conscience is clear and our reputation untarnished. If it is proven in court or anywhere else that we bear even the slightest responsibility, I will not ask anyone. I will do what must be done,” Arikli concluded.
