Shipyard worker dies, three injured in accident

A SHIPYARD worker died and three others were injured when they were struck by a mooring rope that slipped loose and snapped back.

The terrible accident occurred at 12:30 pm in the shipyard named Shipyard Ltd at Gazimağusa Port on Sunday.

Kadir Teke, 40, was killed, while Mehmet Gündoğdu, 56, Haydar Şahin, 41, and Yusuf Türkay, 58, suffered facial injuries.

Their injuries were said to be not life-threatening and they were taken to Gazimağusa State Hospital for treatment.

The incident occurred when the mooring rope of the ship “Viamare”, which was going to the shipyard for maintenance, slipped off while being moored.

Upon hearing the news, Mr Teke’s devastated relatives rushed to the shipyard.

The shipyard founder Ramazan Gündoğdu and Public Works and

Transport Minister Resmiye Canaltay went to the shipyard and were given information about the accident.

“It is a very sad and painful incident,” Mrs Canaltay said. “Information will be provided after the necessary investigation has been completed. The pain is so fresh. There is great pain. Hopefully the necessary measures will be taken so that this doesn’t happen again.”

Mr Gündoğdu stated that according to initial findings, the ship’s captain was “responsible for the accident” and that he had filed a complaint.

“The ship’s captain is responsible for the accident because all instructions from the port captain must be listened to and strictly followed. There is one dead and three injured. What needs to be done will be.

“This accident wouldn’t have happened if the ship’s captain had gone in reverse instead of moving forward.

“The ship was to be taken into maintenance at the shipyard. Based on the instruction of the port captain, the ship should have entered the dock from the back of the shipyard. That’s when the accident occurred.

“Our employee of 10 years, who knew what he was doing very well, lost his life. My brother and two of our employees were seriously injured.

“Going against the instructions given, those who were there were unable to hold the rope when the ship moved forward. The rope flung around out of control and hit people.”

Police arrested the ship’s captain and windlass drum manager. They were brought before Gazimağusa District Court on Thursday and released on bail pending trial on charges of “causing death by negligence and carelessness”.

Police officer Gökhan Yıldırım said that Mr Teke had died of multiple vertebral and rib fractures, internal organ injuries and internal bleeding.

He added that the suspects were arrested after investigators examined CCTV footage of the incident and data from the ship’s VDR (voyage data recorder).