**Kyrenia Ferry Search Operation Continues, Says Transport Minister Sucuoglu**
Search operations for the ferry that sank off the coast of Kyrenia in August are progressing slowly but steadily, according to Turkish Cypriot 'transport minister' Faiz Sucuoglu. In a statement made on Wednesday, Sucuoglu described the ongoing efforts as being conducted "inch by inch," emphasizing the challenges faced by rescue teams working at depths of 550 meters below sea level.
The minister explained that the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) used for the search takes approximately four and a half to five hours to descend to the seabed. Once any objects are located, the retrieval process can take an additional eight to ten hours. "It is a very slow process," Sucuoglu noted, highlighting the patience required for such deep-sea operations. Despite the difficulties, he assured that the search would continue around the area where the ferry sank, with the possibility of expanding the search efforts in the coming days.
The ferry disaster, which occurred shortly after the vessel departed from the new port of Kyrenia en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu on August 30, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 18 individuals, with 10 others still missing. The ferry was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members at the time of the incident.
Alongside the search efforts, Sucuoglu addressed the ongoing legal proceedings involving nine individuals arrested in connection with the tragedy. Those in custody include the ferry's captain, Mustafa Oz, seven crew members, and a director of the ferry's operating company, Filo Denizcilik. They remain detained as investigations continue.
Recent court hearings revealed that the Turkish Cypriot authorities were not informed about a crack that appeared on the ferry's left side on June 17, despite both the captain and the operating company being obligated to report such issues. Additionally, it was disclosed that Captain Oz had allegedly purchased his Honduran captain's license for $3,500. A police representative indicated that Oz had claimed to have initially obtained a license in Turkey, which became invalid after he did not serve as a boat captain for a decade.
Sucuoglu reaffirmed the government's commitment to following the investigation "to the very end," stating that it remains a top priority for both the government and the prime minister. The police investigation is being conducted intensively, and Sucuoglu assured the public that the judicial process will be thoroughly pursued.
As search efforts continue, the families of the victims and the missing remain hopeful for further developments. The community is closely monitoring the situation as authorities work diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.