**Second Rescue Vessel Arrives Off Kyrenia After Ferry Disaster**
A second rescue vessel, the TCG Alemdar, arrived off the coast of Kyrenia on Wednesday morning as recovery efforts continue for a passenger ferry that sank while traveling to Turkey on Sunday. The TCG Alemdar's deployment follows the earlier arrival of the TCG Isin, which reached the area on Tuesday.
Sources familiar with the situation reported that the TCG Alemdar is now positioned off Cyprus’ northern coast to assist in the ongoing recovery operations. These efforts include various maritime and aerial resources that have been mobilized since the incident occurred.
On Tuesday evening, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman confirmed that the ferry wreck had been located by the search-and-rescue team aboard the TCG Isin. He stated, “The location of an object, which is currently considered to be the sunken ship, has been determined. This object was detected at a depth of 550 metres. I repeat, it is considered that it is the sunken ship.” This announcement was made outside the new port of Kyrenia, where a crisis management desk has been operational since the ferry sank.
The TCG Alemdar is expected to play a crucial role in bringing the wreckage to the surface. As recovery efforts progressed, Turkish Cypriot officials, including Kyrenia mayor Murat Senkul and the region’s finance and energy ministers, visited the families of those still unaccounted for. Official reports indicate that 20 individuals remain missing three days after the ferry disaster, prompting families to gather outside the new port’s entrance for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday.
In addition to the ongoing search efforts, teams have begun to recover personal belongings from the sea. Floating suitcases were retrieved off the coast of Kyrenia, and a life jacket was found washed ashore at Karavostasi, near Lefka. The tragedy has claimed eight lives so far, with four funerals held on Tuesday and one on Monday.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the recovery of missing individuals and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ferry's sinking. Questions have been raised regarding the captain's licensure and the safety certification of the vessel, with some family members expressing concerns over the actions taken during the incident.
The recovery operation continues to be a priority for local authorities, as they work to provide support to the affected families and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to address the tragedy.