Details of the Accident and Ongoing Investigation
Following the accident involving the passenger ship FİLOJET on the Girne-Taşucu route, Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı announced that the scope of the investigation would be broad. He emphasized that no public officials or personnel from private companies would be excluded from the investigation aside from the captain and crew. Arıklı stated that all negligence and responsibilities would be addressed following the investigation.
Arıklı expressed that the accident has affected the entire public and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He also highlighted the necessity of reaching out to the families of the victims and finding the missing as soon as possible, noting that the incident has caused deep wounds.
Search and Rescue Efforts and Speculations
The Minister mentioned that all official agencies have been mobilized while the search and rescue efforts are ongoing. He added that they are cautious regarding speculations about the cause of the accident and that they will wait for the investigation to conclude before making any definitive judgments. It is considered that the accident could have various causes such as technical failures, human errors, or external factors.
While providing information on the ship’s key features, he stated that it was determined that there were sufficient life jackets prior to the voyage. Additionally, he disclosed that the ship had successfully passed many inspections and emphasized that necessary steps would be taken for the process to be conducted objectively, acknowledging their responsibilities.
Minister Arıklı pointed out that the ship embarked on its voyage with 60% capacity and that the number of passengers was safely accommodated, emphasizing that if any negligence is detected, interventions will be made. He stressed that any potential responsibilities would be thoroughly investigated, and the results would be shared with the public.
Moreover, he insisted that detailed analyses would be conducted regarding the depth of the area where the ship is located and its technical condition. The process of water ingress into the ship and the operation of the alarm system will also be among the issues monitored.
Should the investigation reveal negative outcomes, Arıklı stated that necessary legal actions could be taken against the relevant personnel and institutions, conveying that efforts to inform the public will continue without slowing down. He mentioned that international experts may also be involved in this process if deemed necessary.
Arıklı noted that he is cautious about political responsibility, emphasizing that the priority is to determine the cause of the accident, find the missing, and treat the injured. He stated that if anyone is found negligent in their duties, he will not hesitate to address the issue.
The Minister highlighted that public office is not a seat for protection but for accountability, stressing that their priorities are to prevent loss of life and rectify the situation. He indicated that he does not find it appropriate to engage in political discussions such as resignation at this stage.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
