The first funeral has been held for a victim of the FİLO JET ferry disaster off Kyrenia, while search operations for the missing continue and are set to expand with the arrival of specialised deep-sea equipment from Türkiye.
Nuray Zeytun Özbiler, 59, who lost her life when the catamaran sank off Kyrenia on Sunday afternoon, was buried on Monday in occupied Famagusta, becoming the first victim of the disaster to be laid to rest.
The funeral was attended by so-called prime minister Ünal Üstel, CTP chairperson Sıla Usar İncirli, several "ministers", "members of parliament" and relatives of the deceased, who was the mother of four children.
Several victims' bodies have been transferred to Türkiye for burial in their home cities.
The remains of Hüseyin Özdemir and Reyhan Verim have already been taken to Mersin, while the body of Nihat Bayemez has been transported to Gaziantep, where his funeral is scheduled to take place today.
According to Turkish Cypriot media, another victim, Fahri Ateş, was a gendarmerie specialist sergeant who was travelling with his wife and four-year-old child.
Reports state that he managed to save his wife and child but was unable to save himself.
His wife and child remain hospitalised in the north, while the rest of his family lives in occupied Tremetousia.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister visits north
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Hacı Ali Özel, who is in the north for a second consecutive day, visited the crisis-management centre in Kyrenia on Monday.
He received briefings from Üstel, so-called health minister Hakan Dinçyürek and other officials.
Özel also visited Turkish citizens receiving treatment in various hospitals and met their relatives.
He stated that efforts are continuing to meet the needs of victims and their families, facilitate transportation to Türkiye and provide any additional assistance required.
Search operation continues
Search and rescue operations continued for a second consecutive night following the disaster.
According to information released by the authorities in the north, the operation involved:
- 8 ships
- 9 boats
- 1 aircraft
- 7 helicopters
- 5 UAV drones
As previously announced by Üstel, a specialised research vessel is expected to arrive from Türkiye today to reinforce the operation.
The vessel is capable of operating at depths of up to 1,000 metres, significantly beyond the depth at which the wreck is believed to lie.
Transport measures introduced
Meanwhile, ferry services operated by Akgünler resumed today, while FİLO JET has completely suspended its own operations following the disaster.
In addition, private airline Pegasus has added four extra flights to its daily schedule and is offering subsidised fares to meet increased demand for travel between Türkiye and the north.
Source: CNA
