A chlorine gas leak occurred at the power generation station in occupied Kyrenia (Teknecik) during gas disposal operations, affecting three people who were transported to hospital with symptoms of nausea and discomfort.
According to Yeni Düzen, environmental service and civil defence teams rushed to the scene, whilst Turkish Cypriot media reported that procedures are underway to evacuate workers from the facilities.
Workers evacuated as environmental teams respond to incident
The incident comes during intense confrontation between trade unions and local authorities, coinciding with a strike ban imposed on the Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority (Kıb-Tek) workers’ union El-Sen.
The union had declared a strike citing lack of investment and serious risks to worker and public safety at the station. However, the “government” banned the strike for 60 days, provoking anger among union leaders.
Union leaders criticise strike ban amid safety concerns
At a joint press conference outside the station, union representatives sharply criticised the ban decision, arguing it fails to resolve underlying problems.
El-Sen president Ahmet Tougchou accused authorities of preferring to ban strikes rather than solve problems. “Mismanagement brought the Electricity Authority (Kıb-Tek) to its current state,” he declared, asking officials: “Where will you go when the strike ban ends?”
He also alleged that two workers were transferred for sharing information about the Authority’s condition.
Türk-Sen president Arslan Bicakli said, “The right to strike is constitutional,” and accused authorities of ignoring trade unions.
“Don’t think you can do whatever you want because you sit in these positions,” he stated.
Hür-İş union president Ahmet Serdaroglu claimed officials “live lavishly with what they take from our pockets”.
Municipal employees union (BES) president Mustafa Yalinkaya declared that “this country is run by a gang of 11 people, led by Ünal Üstel. We must overthrow this gang. Turkish Cypriots bow their heads to no one”.
(information from CNA)