Prime Minister Ünal Ustal announced that a new ship will join the search and rescue efforts aimed at locating the missing persons following the maritime accident off the coast of Kyrenia. The new search and rescue vessel is expected to play a crucial role in this process, thanks to its deep-water search capabilities and specialized technical equipment. The ship is scheduled to set sail from Istanbul today and is expected to arrive in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus over the weekend or by early next week to commence operations.
Ustal made a statement regarding the current status of search and rescue operations following a meeting held in Ankara. The meeting, chaired by Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Cevdet Yılmaz, included representatives from relevant ministries, the Turkish Navy, and the private sector. During the meeting, evaluations of the efforts conducted so far were made, and future steps were outlined.
The Prime Minister emphasized that there is a firm determination to locate the missing persons and stated that it was decided to add a new ship capable of deep-water searches as a result of the meetings. The ship in question is planned to be directed from Istanbul to the accident site.
Ustal noted that the TCG Işın is continuing search operations in the accident area, while the TCG Alemdar has returned to port due to maintenance and supply needs. He highlighted that search efforts are ongoing from the air, land, and sea, stating, “Our aim is clear: to reach our missing persons.”
Pointing out that the search operations may take time due to the sea depth, regional conditions, and the state of the wreck, Ustal added that the addition of new technical capabilities would accelerate this process.
Ustal also emphasized Turkey’s support for the search and rescue operations, stating that the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Security, and Coast Guard Command have mobilized all their resources since day one. He mentioned that the Forensic Medicine Institution of the Ministry of Justice has also provided significant support in terms of identification and DNA analysis.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Turkish Republic’s Embassy in Nicosia, which has coordinated every phase of the process. He acknowledged all authorities who have supported the efforts concerning the missing persons, particularly thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
