Ferries to Turkey’s western islands canceled due to bad weather on election day

ÇANAKKALE – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Morning ferries to Turkey’s western islands of Gökçeada and Bozcaada off the coast of Çanakkale have been canceled on the day of the Nov. 1 snap elections due to bad weather. 

A strong northeastern storm on the northern coasts of the Aegean Sea have caused the suspension of ferry services from Çanakkale to its Gökçeada (Imbros) and Bozcaada (Tenedos) districts since Oct. 31. 

Officers at Gestaş Deniz Ulaşım, a navigation company running the ferries to and from Çanakkale, said the speed of the storm will determine whether the ferries would operate later in the day.

The storm continues at a speed of 80-90 km/hour, 9-10 on the beaufort scale, defined as a “full storm.”

Reports indicate a continuation of the storm could inhibit the operation of ferries throughout the election day, preventing citizens from casting their votes. 

Meanwhile, İDO, a company founded by the Greater Istanbul Metropolitan Council to run hydrofoils in and around the city, has suspended a number of its operations due to unfavorable weather conditions. 
Ferries running between Istanbul’s Yenikapı district and Bursa, Bandırma and Yalova have been affected by the cancellations.

According to the Supreme Election Board (YSK), a total of 6,844 citizens are registered to vote from the islands, although the number of citizens who might be affected by the storm is unknown.