Concerns Over Electrical Safety at Ercan Airport
Recent incidents at Ercan Airport have sparked serious concerns regarding electrical safety, with trade unions sounding the alarm after two small explosions occurred within weeks of each other. The first incident, which took place on March 13, resulted in a worker suffering burns on both arms while engaging in what was described as “unauthorised” work on a panel box. The worker was employed by a subcontractor rather than the airport’s electricity authority, Kib-Tek.
Not long after, on March 29, another subcontracted employee was involved in an explosion while trying to connect a generator to a transformer without the knowledge or approval of Kib-Tek. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in the second incident. Ahmet Tugcu, chairman of the El-Sen union, highlighted that the airport is still operating on a transient current, leading to inconsistent electricity flow and posing a significant risk to safety.
Tugcu questioned why, nine months after the airport’s opening, steps had not been taken to switch to a stable current. He criticized the airport operator T&T for allowing subcontractors to handle complex electrical systems that should only be managed by Kib-Tek personnel. Tugcu emphasized the urgency of transferring to a regular current to prevent further accidents.
Further adding to the controversy, Cem Kapisiz, head of the air traffic controllers’ union, revealed that the first explosion was kept from public knowledge. Upon learning about the incident, he confronted ‘transport minister’ Erhan Arikli for answers and accountability. Kapisiz expressed his concern that the airport had not undergone necessary electrical checks, posing a potential danger not only to employees but also to passengers due to the increased risk of fire.
The unions are calling for immediate action to address these safety issues, underscoring that the well-being of individuals is paramount over any financial gains from hurried business operations. The recent events have put a spotlight on the need for stringent safety protocols and proper oversight at Ercan Airport.
