- 19 people are currently missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Kyrenia.
- Captain Mustafa Oz appeared in Kyrenia District Court for the second time regarding the ferry sinking.
- Police revealed in court that Oz bought a Honduran captain's licence for $3,500 after his Turkish licence became invalid.
- Erhan Arıklı, Chairman of the Rebirth Party (YDP), was dismissed as Minister of Public Works and Transport following the ferry disaster.
- The YDP Assembly has decided to withdraw from the coalition government, which will be formally communicated to Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
- Arıklı stated that the YDP would avoid political statements until the missing individuals are found.
- The police representative stated that Oz had initially obtained a licence in Turkey but it became invalid after he had not worked as a ship captain for ten years.
- After deciding to return to work, Oz contacted people in Greece to obtain a new licence.
- Oz received an accompanying document from the Turkish Cypriot authorities after obtaining the Honduran licence and began working on the ferry route.
Search efforts are ongoing for 19 individuals missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Kyrenia. Captain Mustafa Oz, who appeared in court, reportedly bought a Honduran captain’s license for $3,500 after his Turkish license expired due to inactivity for ten years.2
According to a police representative, Oz initially obtained a license in Turkey but sought a new one upon returning to work. He contacted “some people in Greece” to facilitate the acquisition of the Honduran license, which was verified by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.12
In a related political development, the Rebirth Party (YDP) has announced its withdrawal from the coalition government. Chairman Erhan Arıklı stated that the decision was made during a party assembly meeting and would be formally communicated to Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. Arıklı, who was dismissed as Minister of Public Works and Transport, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to leave the government, which he had been contemplating for two years due to internal issues.6
“There is a lot to say, but 19 of our people are missing. People and the relatives of those missing are waiting in anguish,” Arıklı said, emphasizing the need to avoid political disputes during the ongoing search efforts.
The General Directorate of Merchant Marine of Honduras has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the authenticity of Oz's license.
“Oz's Turkish licence had lapsed after a decade away from the sea, prompting him to contact 'some people in Greece' to obtain the Honduran document. Meanwhile, YDP Chairman Erhan Arıklı, dismissed as minister, said the party will avoid political statements until the missing are found.”
