**Title: Two More Bodies Recovered from Kyrenia Ferry Wreckage**
Two additional bodies have been discovered near the wreckage of a ferry that sank off the coast of Kyrenia last month, bringing the total confirmed fatalities from the tragic incident to 17. Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel announced the recovery on Monday, stating that the bodies were found approximately one kilometer from the site of the wreck.
In his remarks, Ustel indicated that DNA analyses are currently underway to identify the recovered bodies and to determine if they belong to any of the missing passengers from the ferry. He assured that families of the deceased will be informed as soon as the results of the DNA tests are available.
The search operations in the vicinity of the wreckage are ongoing, with Ustel emphasizing that Turkish Cypriot authorities are committed to continuing their efforts until all missing individuals are located. As of now, a total of 11 people remain unaccounted for following the accident.
The ferry capsized shortly after departing from the new port of Kyrenia on August 30, with 259 passengers and eight crew members on board. The incident occurred just after midday, leading to a chaotic scene as rescue operations were initiated.
In the aftermath of the sinking, nine individuals have been arrested, including the ferry's captain, Mustafa Oz, seven crew members, and a director from the operating company, Filo Denizcilik. These individuals remain in custody as court proceedings are ongoing. The latest court session took place last Friday, where it was revealed that the Turkish Cypriot authorities were not informed about a crack that had developed on the ferry’s left side on June 17. Both the captain and the operating company were required to report such issues, raising questions about the safety protocols in place prior to the ferry's departure.
Further complicating the case, it was disclosed in court that Captain Oz had allegedly purchased his Honduran captain’s license for $3,500. A police representative shared that Oz claimed to have initially obtained a license in Turkey, but it had lapsed after he did not serve as a boat captain for a decade. The Cyprus Mail has reached out to Honduras’ directorate-general of merchant maritime to verify the legitimacy of the license.
The ferry disaster has prompted widespread concern regarding maritime safety regulations and the responsibilities of ferry operators. As investigations continue, the focus remains on uncovering the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life.