Following the Filo Jet disaster, Northern Cyprus sees significant public administration changes, including the removal of Meteorology Director Sinan Güneş.
Following the Filo Jet tragedy that occurred off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), changes in public administration continue. After the dismissal of Transportation Minister Erhan Arıklı, the Director of the Meteorology Department, Sinan Güneş, has also been removed from his position.
In the TRNC, following the Filo Jet tragedy on August 30, which resulted in the loss of many lives, there have been consecutive changes in public institutions.
According to the decree published in the Official Gazette, Meteorology Department Director Sinan Güneş has been removed from his position effective September 8, 2026. Mediha Orun Sarp has been appointed as the new Director of the Meteorology Department in Güneş's place.
The second notable development after Arıklı's dismissal is Güneş's removal, which has drawn attention as a new development in the administrative process that began following the shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia.
TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı was dismissed by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on September 2. Üstel stated that the decision was made for the integrity of the investigation into the shipwreck and to ease public conscience.
Following Arıklı's dismissal, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, Enver Öztürk, the Ministry Director Mustafa Ambar, and the Director of the Ports Department, Emsal Emirzadeoğulları, were also removed from their positions.
Meteorology Director Sinan Güneş had issued storm warnings before the accident.
Sinan Güneş had made statements regarding the severe weather conditions affecting the TRNC shortly before his dismissal.
In a statement made on August 29, Güneş noted that particularly heavy rainfall and storms were prevalent, stating that wind speeds in Gemikonağı had reached 182 kilometers per hour, which was a record.
Güneş indicated that the rainy weather system was expected to leave the country during the day, but that storm-level winds would continue strongly in some areas, albeit with reduced intensity.
The investigation into the Filo Jet tragedy continues.
The Filo Jet, which operated between Kyrenia Port and Mersin Taşucu Port, began taking on water from its bow shortly after departing Kyrenia on August 30 and capsized while attempting to return to port.
The investigation conducted after the tragedy has scrutinized the technical condition of the vessel, the captain's management during the crisis, and the oversight mechanisms in place. Initial expert evaluations have reported various instances of negligence.
On the other hand, while no direct justification was provided in the news regarding Sinan Güneş's dismissal, it is noteworthy that the change in position coincided with other administrative decisions following the Filo Jet tragedy. Therefore, it seems more accurate to present Güneş's dismissal not as a definitive consequence of the accident, but rather as one of the administrative changes that occurred after the tragedy.
In his farewell message published on his last day in office, Güneş expressed gratitude to his colleagues and supporters, stating that he had served as the Director of the Meteorology Department for approximately 2 years and 9 months.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
