Foreign Visitors Injured at TEKNOFEST in Northern Cyprus on the Road to Recovery

Doctors have provided an update on the condition of two foreign nationals who were injured when a large advertising structure collapsed during TEKNOFEST in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Prime Minister Ünal Üstel visited the injured individuals in hospital, accompanied by Minister Hakan Dinçyürek and members of the festival organizing team.

Following his visit to Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia, the Prime Minister stated that both individuals are in stable condition and are receiving the necessary medical care. Doctors have assessed their overall condition as good and under control.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m. during the festival’s opening ceremony at the site of the old Ercan Airport. A 20-meter-tall metal structure collapsed due to strong winds. Initially, three people were reported injured: two men aged 55 and 56, and a 67-year-old woman. All were promptly transported to the state hospital for treatment.

“A sudden and unfortunate accident took place during the TEKNOFEST opening ceremony,” Prime Minister Üstel said. “Although the atmosphere was lively and full of excitement, we were met with this distressing incident. Weather conditions were expected to be mild, but sudden strong winds escalated into a storm, causing the metal structure to collapse and injure two foreign attendees,” he explained, adding that he wishes all the injured a swift recovery.

No further information has been released regarding the condition of the third person injured. An official investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

TEKNOFEST—the world’s largest festival of aviation, space, and technology—is being held in Northern Cyprus for the first time from May 1 to 4 at the old Ercan Airport.