Northern Cyprus dismisses three transport officials after Filo Jet sinking

September 4, 2026 at 11:03 PM1 min

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Northern Cyprus dismissed three senior officials from its Public Works and Transport Ministry on Sept. 5, 2026, following the Filo Jet ferry disaster off Kyrenia that killed 12 people. Murat Salel was appointed as the new ministry undersecretary, replacing Enver Öztürk. The dismissals came days after Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı was removed from office.

Key Facts

The dismissals were published in the Official Gazette's special issue No. 166 dated Sept. 4, 2026.
Enver Öztürk had served as ministry undersecretary since March 23, 2022.
Mustafa Ambar had held the post of ministry director since Nov. 23, 2024.
Emsal Emirzadeoğluları had led the Ports Department since June 14, 2024.
The Filo Jet capsized on Aug. 30 while sailing from Kyrenia to Taşucu, leaving 16 people missing.

Official Dismissals

The decrees were issued under Article 3, paragraph 2 of the Senior Executives Law. The documents carried the signatures of Finance Minister and Acting Public Works and Transport Minister Özdemir Berova, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, and President Tufan Erhürman. No reason was stated in the dismissal decrees. No new appointments were announced for the posts of ministry director and Ports Department director.

Filo Jet Disaster

The Filo Jet capsized shortly after departing Kyrenia for Taşucu on Aug. 30. The death toll rose to 12, and search operations continued for 16 missing people. Judicial, administrative, and technical investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of the accident, the vessel's technical condition, inspection and certification processes, and the conditions under which it was allowed to sail.