PM Üstel says third search vessel will arrive on Sunday

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel says search operations are continuing for 14 people still missing following the Girne ferry disaster, while no survivors of the accident remain in hospital.

Üstel said two vessels were continuing search-and-recovery operations and that a third specialist vessel, due to arrive from Istanbul, was expected to reach the island on Sunday evening.

Speaking during an extraordinary session of the Republic’s Assembly, Üstel also defended plans to hold parliamentary and local elections on the same day, saying voters would only have to go to the polls once.

The extraordinary session of the Republic’s Assembly opened with an address by Republican Turkish Party leader Sıla Usar İncirli, who criticised the government over the agenda of the sitting.

İncirli recalled that the extraordinary session had been requested on September 3 solely to establish a parliamentary investigation committee into the ferry disaster.

She criticised the government for adding other issues to the agenda, arguing that this showed disrespect towards a society still grieving and towards families who had lost loved ones.

İncirli said the investigation committee should begin its work without delay and argued that, as it would examine possible negligence during the current government’s term, it should be chaired by the CTP.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel then addressed parliament, saying 14 people had died in the ferry disaster and another 14 remained missing.

Üstel said no survivors were currently receiving treatment in hospital and that search operations involving two vessels sent by Türkiye had continued since the disaster.

He said a third specialist vessel would arrive from Istanbul on Sunday evening to join the operation.

Üstel also said a judicial investigation had been launched on the first day of the disaster.

He added that the parliamentary investigation committee would consist of three UBP and two CTP members and would be chaired by a UBP deputy.

Üstel rejected criticism over the expanded parliamentary agenda, saying urgent legislation also needed to be passed alongside discussions on the ferry disaster.

The General Assembly later began debating a motion proposing that parliamentary elections be held on Sunday, December 6.

CTP leader Sıla Usar İncirli said her party had previously proposed November 8 when the possibility of holding parliamentary and local elections on the same day was discussed in committee.

İncirli said the CTP was ready for both elections to be held together but argued that such a decision was a matter of wider public concern. She claimed holding both elections simultaneously would be more costly and could place additional pressure on state institutions.

She said the CTP would vote against the motion.

Responding, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said holding the two elections together would mean voters would only have to go to the polls once.

He said holding the parliamentary election at its normal date in January would leave only a short interval before the local elections.

Üstel said the proposal had been prepared in consultation with the Supreme Electoral Council and expressed hope that the elections would be beneficial for the country and the public.

The General Assembly then moved on to an urgency motion concerning a proposed amendment to the Political Parties Law, submitted by Democratic Party leader and Mağusa MP Fikri Ataoğlu.

Ataoğlu said the proposed changes would allow political parties to begin preparations for their candidates.