**Mother Who Died in Kyrenia Ferry Disaster ‘Gave Own Life Jacket to Daughter’**
The tragic sinking of a ferry off the coast of Kyrenia on Sunday has left families mourning the loss of loved ones and raised questions about safety measures on board. Among the victims was Gulcan Gurel, whose sister, Eda Payam, recounted a heartbreaking act of bravery during the disaster.
At Gurel's funeral held in Mersin, Turkey, on Wednesday, Payam shared the harrowing details of the incident. She revealed that as the ferry began to capsize, Gurel selflessly removed her own life jacket and handed it to her daughter, Tusem. In a moment filled with panic, Gurel reportedly told her sister, “my daughter is entrusted to you from now on,” illustrating the depth of her maternal love and sacrifice.
The family had traveled to Cyprus to visit their brother, Mehmet, who is stationed on the island as a soldier. Payam was one of the fortunate individuals who managed to reach the shore alive, while Gurel and several others were not as lucky.
Gurel's body was transported back to Turkey and arrived at Cukurova airport near Mersin on Tuesday. The tragedy has drawn attention not only for the loss of life but also for the ongoing search-and-rescue operations that have been underway since the ferry sank. As of now, eight fatalities have been confirmed, with authorities still searching for 20 individuals who remain unaccounted for.
The ferry was en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu when it began to capsize shortly after departing from the new port of Kyrenia around midday. The incident has prompted discussions about maritime safety, particularly in light of the number of passengers on board and the conditions leading up to the disaster.
In a separate funeral on Wednesday, Fahri Ates, another victim of the ferry disaster, was laid to rest in his hometown of Erdemli, located west of Mersin. Ates, a sergeant in Turkey’s gendarmerie, had been on holiday in Cyprus with his wife. Their son, Atabey, who did not accompany them on the trip, attended the funeral, which was also marked by the presence of local dignitaries, including Mersin province deputy governor Mehmet Ali Ozkan and provincial gendarmerie commander Sinasi Guclu.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the stories of those who lost their lives continue to resonate. The loss of Gurel, in particular, has highlighted the profound sacrifices made by parents in times of crisis.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ferry disaster is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the causes of the sinking and to ensure that such tragedies do not occur in the future. The families of the victims are left to navigate their grief while seeking answers and accountability in the wake of this devastating event.