Kyrenia, Aug 31. (dpa/GNA) – Authorities will investigate allegations raised by passengers, after a deadly ferry capsize off the coast of Cyprus, that killed at least eight people, Turkish state media reported on Monday.
A total of 267 people were on board the ferry, including 259 passengers and 8 crew members. Most were rescued.
Turkish Cypriot Transport Minister, Erhan Arikli, told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency that allegations made by passengers about the incident would be examined. Some on board have said doors were locked, and the captain fled.
Arikli told Anadolu the ministry would launch a separate investigation from a police probe. Findings regarding the ferry’s operating licence and seaworthiness, as well as onboard safety precautions, would be made public.
Authorities said the vessel capsized on Sunday, shortly after leaving the port city of Kyrenia, known in Turkish as Girne. The ferry was bound for the southern Turkish Mersin province in rough seas.
For reasons that remain unclear, water entered the vessel, causing the catamaran to flood and list to one side. The vessel eventually sank to the seabed, 500 metres below the surface.
The captain and seven crew members have been detained, media outlets reported late on Sunday.
The arrests were announced by Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, according to the state broadcaster BRT.
GNA