Girne: A vessel from Trkiye will arrive in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Tuesday to join search and rescue operations following the capsizing of a passenger ship off the coastal city of Girne (Kyrenia), the TRNC president said Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency, a presidential statement revealed that Tufan Erhurman spoke to reporters after meeting families waiting at the Port of Girne following Sunday's disaster. Erhurman stated that search and rescue operations were continuing with the same intensity as Sunday, including throughout the night. He mentioned that a vessel from Trkiye would arrive in the area on Tuesday to support the operations, capable of operating at depths of around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). Erhurman confirmed that the identities of all eight people who died after the ship capsized had been determined and their families contacted.
Separately, a crisis desk set up by the Turkish Embassy in the TRNC Lefkosa has launched a support program for survivors and their families. Embassy officials visited injured survivors, providing accommodation, essential supplies, and airline tickets for those wishing to return to Trkiye. Temporary travel documents are also being issued to survivors who lost their ID documents, while the bodies of those killed have been brought to Trkiye. Relevant Turkish institutions have also been mobilized under embassy coordination to support survivors and their families.
Erhurman noted that an investigation into the disaster is ongoing, with nine people detained and legal proceedings underway. He emphasized that the investigation would be conducted transparently and that each allegation is being investigated individually as authorities work to establish all aspects of the incident.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Haci Ali Ozel stated Monday that Trkiye is ready to provide all forms of support to the TRNC following the capsizing. Ozel arrived in the TRNC Sunday evening after the disaster and visited Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital in Lefkosa, meeting with TRNC Health Minister Hakan Dincyurek and receiving briefings from hospital officials on the condition of the injured. On Monday morning, Ozel returned to the hospital with Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa Ali Murat Basceri and Dincyurek to meet injured survivors and their families. Following the hospital visit, Ozel traveled to Girne, where he met officials at the crisis desk established to coordinate the response.
In statements shared by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Ozel said efforts were continuing to meet the needs of survivors and Turkish citizens and to facilitate their return to Trkiye. "We are ready to provide all forms of support to the TRNC," said Ozel. He also met with Turkish citizens whose procedures were being handled at the embassy, stressing that Trkiye would continue to stand by its citizens whenever and wherever they need assistance.