Erhan Arikli has been relieved of his duties as the Northern Cyprus Minister of Public Works and Transport, Prime Minister Unal Ustel announced Wednesday evening.

Axar.az reports, citing Cyprus Mail, that the decision follows Sunday’s sinking of a passenger ferry off the coast of Kyrenia, which has so far claimed the lives of at least nine people, while 20 others remain unaccounted for.

“In order to ensure that our police and judicial authorities can conduct the investigation without leaving any room for doubt. I have decided to expand the scope of the suspensions of duties which we implemented following the accident,” Ustel said.

“In this context, I have informed our transport minister, Erhan Arikli, that I have removed him from his post,” he added.

It should be noted that on August 30, a ferry carrying 267 people sank off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Search efforts are continuing.