**One Remains in Hospital After Kyrenia Ferry Disaster**
A single individual remains hospitalized six days after a tragic ferry accident off the coast of Kyrenia, Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel announced on Sunday. This update follows the hospitalization of 132 people in the aftermath of the incident, with 131 having since been discharged. Ustel stated, “As of September 5, 131 of the 132 victims admitted to our public and university hospitals have been discharged. Only one victim remains an inpatient, and their health is rapidly improving. There are no longer any victims in intensive care.”
The ferry disaster, which occurred on August 30, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 13 individuals, while 15 others are still unaccounted for. Ustel emphasized that search-and-rescue operations to locate the missing persons are ongoing, operating continuously, seven days a week. “Search-and-rescue efforts to find the 15 missing people are continuing uninterrupted,” he noted.
In the wake of the disaster, Ustel commended the swift response of healthcare workers in the region. He highlighted the mobilization of resources immediately following the accident, stating, “From the very first minutes of the maritime accident which occurred off the coast of Kyrenia, our healthcare workers mobilised with a great sense of urgency.” A total of 21 ambulances and 63 personnel were dispatched to the port, with 25 doctors and 30 nurses providing first aid at the scene. Additionally, hospitals across the north were placed on alert to manage the influx of survivors.
All 239 survivors were transported to various hospitals, with four initially admitted to intensive care units. Ustel expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals involved, saying, “Throughout the process, 139 doctors and around 200 nurses and healthcare workers have been on duty … We wholeheartedly thank all the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, psychologists, ambulance teams, and all healthcare institutions in our state, private, and university hospitals who have served with great dedication from the first moment until today.”
In a related development, family members of the 15 missing individuals were taken from the new port of Kyrenia to provide DNA samples. This step aims to assist in the identification of the bodies that have yet to be recovered. Ustel stated, “To ensure that the identities of the recovered remains are established with the utmost accuracy and certainty, leaving no room for doubt, DNA analysis will be utilised alongside visual identification and other identification methods.” He added, “Our goal is to establish the identity of each individual through scientific and definitive data and to provide accurate information to their families.”
The Kyrenia ferry disaster has raised concerns regarding safety protocols and operational standards in maritime transport. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the sinking are underway, with authorities promising a report on the findings as soon as possible.
As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event, the focus remains on the ongoing search for the missing individuals and providing support to the families affected by this disaster.