**No More Bodies Found in Kyrenia Ferry Wreckage, Search Operations Continue**
Kyrenia, Cyprus – Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel announced on Friday that comprehensive searches of the wreckage of the ferry that sank off the coast of Kyrenia last month have confirmed that no bodies remain within the vessel. This statement comes 26 days after the tragic incident, which left 13 individuals still unaccounted for.
Ustel emphasized the thoroughness of the search operations, stating, “Every square metre, every bag, and every seat was examined. No area within the boat was left unsearched.” The announcement followed the recovery of a body last Saturday, marking the fifteenth confirmed death related to the disaster. This body was the seventh to be retrieved from the wreckage, which was described as being located under “extremely difficult conditions.”
Despite the confirmation that the ferry is now empty, Ustel reassured the public that the search efforts are ongoing. “Our search operations have not concluded,” he stated, highlighting that teams are actively working across air, land, and sea to locate any bodies that may be found underwater or on the water’s surface.
In a significant development, Ustel also announced the recovery of the ferry’s black box, which has been handed over to the Turkish Cypriot police for examination. He noted, “The necessary examinations will be conducted by the relevant authorities,” indicating that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking is progressing.
Ustel reiterated the commitment of the Turkish Cypriot authorities to utilize all available resources in the search efforts. “As a state, we have deployed all our resources. Every available means has been utilised. We have mobilised the same capabilities used in search and rescue operations worldwide,” he stated. He assured the families of the missing that the search will continue, saying, “We will not abandon the search efforts, and we will do whatever is required to locate the missing, using all the resources at our disposal.”
The ferry capsized shortly after departing from the new port of Kyrenia on August 30, bound for the Turkish port of Tasucu, with 259 passengers and eight crew members on board. The ongoing investigation has revealed significant concerns regarding the vessel's condition prior to its departure. Ustel mentioned that the ferry’s captain, Mustafa Oz, and other crew members are facing legal scrutiny, particularly regarding a crack that had appeared on the ferry’s left side on June 17. It has been reported that neither Oz nor the ferry's operating company, Filo Denizcilik, informed the Turkish Cypriot authorities about this issue, despite being legally obligated to do so.
The court proceedings involving Oz, seven crew members, and a director from Filo Denizcilik are being closely monitored by the authorities. Ustel expressed a firm stance on accountability, stating, “We will follow every step of the process to ensure that anyone found to have been negligent or at fault in this tragedy receives the punishment prescribed by law. Whoever they may be, they will be held accountable before the law.”
In a previous court session, it was revealed that Captain Oz had allegedly purchased his Honduran captain’s licence for $3,500, raising further questions about his qualifications. A police representative indicated that Oz claimed to have initially obtained a licence in Turkey, but it became invalid after he did not work as a boat captain for a decade.
The investigation into the sinking of the ferry continues as authorities seek to clarify the circumstances that led to this maritime tragedy and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Families of the missing individuals await further updates as search operations persist in the hope of finding any additional victims.