**Ninth Body from Kyrenia Ferry Wreck Identified, Rescue Efforts Ongoing**
The tragic aftermath of the ferry disaster off the coast of Kyrenia continues to unfold, with the ninth body recovered from the wreckage identified late Wednesday night as Ismail Kurt. Kurt was one of the two Cypriots who had been unaccounted for since the ferry sank shortly after departure on Sunday.
Rescue operations resumed early Thursday, spearheaded by two Turkish deep-sea rescue vessels, the TCG Isin and the TCG Alemdar. These efforts are supported by various aerial and marine resources, which have been deployed to the site for five consecutive days. The ongoing search aims to locate the remaining 19 individuals still missing from the incident.
Turkish Cypriot 'prime minister' Unal Ustel reiterated his commitment to the search-and-rescue operations, stating that they would continue around the clock. He noted, however, that visibility at a depth of 550 meters, where the ferry lies, is extremely limited. When questioned about the possibility of finding additional bodies, Ustel confirmed that no further discoveries had been made at that time.
On the day of the incident, the ferry was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it capsized and sank shortly after leaving the new port of Kyrenia. The Turkish Cypriot 'health ministry' reported that three individuals who survived the disaster are currently hospitalized.
In a significant political development, Ustel announced the removal of Erhan Arikli from his position as 'transport minister' on Wednesday evening. This decision comes amid ongoing investigations into the cause of the ferry's sinking. Ustel emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the investigation, stating, “We cannot allow the shadow of suspicion to arise during the investigation process.” He also clarified that no individual relieved of their duties should be considered guilty until a judicial verdict is reached.
Arikli responded to his dismissal by labeling the decision as "not ethical." He convened a meeting of his party, the YDP, to propose a motion to withdraw its support from the ruling coalition. The central administrative board of the YDP agreed to this motion, which is expected to be formally ratified by the party's decision-making assembly later today.
The political ramifications of this decision could significantly impact Ustel's administration, which now faces a reduced majority in the Turkish Cypriot legislature. Without the YDP's support, Ustel's coalition will hold a slim majority of just three votes, relying on the backing of 23 members from the UBP, two from the DP, and one independent, Hasan Tosunoglu, among the 49 members in the legislature.
Ustel is currently planning legislative elections for December 6, but the recent political shifts may compel him to reconsider the timing of these elections.
As the search for the missing continues and investigations into the disaster unfold, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the loss and uncertainty surrounding this tragic event.