Ten ‘drunk’ British soldiers in Turkish-held Cyprus ignite a diplomatic dispute when a jetski collision triggers a major fight among civilians and a vehicle pursuit in the manner of the Fast and the Furious.
The off-duty troops had spent the day at a Northern Cyprus beach.
They were accused by locals of destroying two jet skis and refused to pay for the damage.
Police were summoned and a brawl ensued, with the army vicar being knocked to the ground.
The United Nations is now reviewing the incident, which they warn might harm ties with residents.
Ten ‘drunk and undisciplined’ British troops have provoked a diplomatic dispute in Cyprus after reportedly destroying two jet skis after a violent altercation with residents.
Last week, an Army chaplain was knocked to the ground after a brutal altercation that triggered a vehicle pursuit in Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus.
Locals accused him and 10 British soldiers serving with the United Nations peacekeeping operation of destroying two rented jet skis and trying to flee without paying the thousands of pounds in damages.
The 39-year-old CEO of Watersports Firm, Cenk Akay, told The Sun that the off-duty British were “arrogant, inebriated, and undisciplined, and a shame to the United Nations.”
Mr. Akay had asked that the Brits pay £4,300 to repair the damage to the jet skis, but they informed him that they did not have enough cash on them, prompting him to call the police.
According to the members of the 21 Engineer Regiment, they were thereafter encircled by residents who vowed that they “would never leave this island alive.”
Mr. Akay stated, ‘I cautioned the two troops to maintain a distance of 100 meters between their jet skis for their own safety, but they disregarded my advice and drove them like dodgems – they were insane.
One of the British troops shields his face as he exits Glapsides Beach after a heated confrontation with residents over the suspected destruction of two jet skis.
Cenk Akay, the 39-year-old owner of Watersports Firm, said that a gang of troops drove his jet skis ‘like dodgems,’ causing thousands of pounds in damage.
Then, after the collision, they refused to tell me their names while smiling. They said, “We’re with the United Nations, therefore you can’t touch us.”
I requested that they wait for the police, but they fled in the direction of the border with Greek Cyprus, forcing me to pursue.
The UN vehicles of the troops, a white minibus and a Ford Ranger 4×4, were then involved in a high-speed automobile pursuit à la Fast and Furious. Two residents in a vehicle chased them, with the police close behind.
At one point, the troops allege that the Ford’s passage was obstructed and they were threatened with a metal pipe.
It ultimately escaped when it reached a United Nations base, whilst the minibus went to the British Army barracks in Ayios Nikolaos.
UN inspectors have requested an urgent probe into the event and warned that it “may lead to a worsening in relations between the local community and UN personnel, as well as harm to the UN’s reputation.”
The UN vehicles of the troops, a white minibus and a Ford Ranger 4×4, were then involved in a high-speed automobile pursuit à la Fast and Furious.
It added: “The event has been reported to the United Nations headquarters and the top political leaders of Northern Cyprus.”
President Tatar announced his firm commitment to resolve this matter via the United Nations.
We anticipate a worsening in the local populace’s attitude toward the United Nations, thus we are obligated to conduct a thorough and thorough inquiry to resolve the situation as quickly as feasible.
In a statement, a Ministry of Defense spokeswoman defended the British troops, saying, “We are sure that UK military members behaved appropriately throughout.”
Until the inquiry is concluded, leisure travel to the Turkish north of Cyprus has been temporarily prohibited for UN workers.