Official dismissed after deadly shipwreck off Kyrenia

On September 2, 2026, rescue operations were underway following a shipwreck involving a catamaran off the coast of Kyrenia. Authorities confirmed that the death toll has reached nine, with nineteen individuals remaining missing. Among the recent developments, the so-called 'prime minister' Unal Ustel announced the recovery of one body, identified as a man approximately 50 years old, which has been transferred to the Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital in northern Nicosia for formal identification.

Following intense public pressure and demands for accountability from five major labor and teacher unions—KAMU-IS, KTAMS, KAMU-SEN, KTOEOS, and KTOS—regarding alleged negligence and poor oversight, Erhan Arikli was removed from his position as the 'minister of transport and public works.' Ustel stated that this administrative move is intended to ensure an impartial and transparent investigation. Earlier, Arikli had announced his intent to request the waiver of his parliamentary immunity to facilitate legal proceedings.

Rescue efforts are currently operating on a 24/7 basis with the support of Turkish teams. A second, more advanced search and rescue vessel capable of operating at depths of approximately 550 meters has been deployed to the site to aid in the recovery mission and ongoing investigation.