**Funeral Held for Five-Year-Old Victim of Kyrenia Ferry Disaster**
A funeral service was held on Wednesday for five-year-old Asaf Bicer, who tragically lost his life in the ferry disaster off the coast of Kyrenia in late August. The ceremony took place in Reyhanli, a town in Turkey’s Hatay province, situated between the Mediterranean city of Iskenderun and the Syrian city of Aleppo.
The service was attended by Asaf’s parents, Ayten and Hayri Bicer, along with other family members and local officials, including Reyhanli district governor Muharrem Cosgun. The family is still grappling with the loss of Asaf, as well as the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his 12-year-old sister, Miray Bicer, who remains unaccounted for 32 days after the ferry sank.
The tragic incident occurred on August 30, when the ferry capsized shortly after departing from the new port of Kyrenia, en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu. At the time of the accident, there were 259 passengers and eight crew members on board. Asaf’s mother, Ayten, recounted the harrowing moments of the disaster, describing how her daughter’s foot slipped from her grasp as they struggled in the water. “I swear, I didn’t let her go,” she said, tears streaming down her face. She explained that a suitcase fell on top of her, forcing Miray from her hold.
Ayten further elaborated on the chaotic scene, stating, “It was slippery everywhere. It was like oil. She slipped out of my hand.” Her husband, Hayri, expressed his anguish, stating, “We lost our children. We made a lot of effort, but we couldn’t save our children. Two of my children are gone.” The couple is left with only one surviving child, their son Mehmet Asaf.
The ferry disaster has been marked by a significant loss of life, with 18 confirmed fatalities and ten individuals still unaccounted for. In the aftermath of the tragedy, nine individuals, including the ferry’s captain, Mustafa Oz, and several crew members, were arrested. These individuals remain in custody as legal proceedings continue.
Recent court hearings have revealed that the Turkish Cypriot authorities were not informed about a crack that had developed on the ferry’s left side on June 17, despite both the captain and the ferry's operating company, Filo Denizcilik, being obligated to report such issues. Additionally, it was disclosed that Captain Oz had allegedly purchased his Honduran captain’s license for $3,500, raising questions about the validity of his qualifications. A police representative indicated that Oz had initially obtained a license in Turkey, but it had become invalid after he did not serve as a boat captain for a decade.
The Cyprus Mail has reached out to Honduras’ directorate-general of merchant maritime to verify the authenticity of the captain's license, as the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ferry disaster continues.
As the community mourns the loss of young Asaf Bicer and others affected by this tragedy, questions remain about safety regulations and accountability in the maritime industry. The ongoing legal proceedings will likely shed further light on the events leading up to the disaster and the responsibilities of those involved.