The story of Gülcan Gürel, an employee of Mersin Hospital who lost her life in the ferry disaster off Kyrenia, has emerged as one of the most poignant accounts linked to the tragedy.
According to reports, moments before disaster struck, she removed her own life jacket and placed it on her daughter, then asked her sister to care for the child.
According to Kıbrıs Postası, Gürel had travelled to the occupied areas together with her father, Bayram Payam, her sister, Eda Payam, and her daughter, Tusem, to visit her brother, Mehmet Payam, who serves in the military.
Funeral held in Mersin
Gürel was laid to rest amid scenes of profound grief after losing her life in the passenger ferry sinking off Kyrenia.
Her funeral service was held at Mersin Hospital, where relatives and colleagues bid farewell to her in tears.
Following prayers, her body was taken to Güneykent Cemetery, where she was buried.
She gave her life jacket to save her daughter
According to Kıbrıs Postası, after visiting her brother, the family boarded the ferry bound for Mersin.
Shortly afterwards, they found themselves at the centre of the tragedy.
As the vessel reportedly began to capsize and panic spread among passengers, Gürel is said to have removed the life jacket she was wearing and given it to her daughter in an effort to save her.
According to the same reports, she then turned to her sister and said:
"From now on, I entrust my daughter to you."
Gürel herself did not survive.
Her story has become one of the most striking human accounts to emerge in the aftermath of the deadly shipwreck off Kyrenia.
