TRNC Government Engages Private Company for Deep-Sea Search for People Missing off Girne

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said that a private company specializing in deep-sea operations had been authorized to search for the people who went missing when the passenger vessel Filo Jet sank off Girne. The decision was made following a meeting in Ankara, and technical and operational preparations have already begun.

The meeting was attended by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, technical delegations from relevant agencies and representatives of private organizations with experience in underwater search and rescue operations. The participants reviewed the work carried out so far, assessed the companies’ technical reports and discussed what additional methods could be brought into the search.

According to Üstel, further work will proceed in coordination with the relevant TRNC agencies and in line with the approved roadmap. The prime minister also held separate talks with Güler, Chief of the Turkish General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Tatlıoğlu. They discussed the stage the search had reached and possible additional steps.

Üstel discussed the judicial aspect with Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, including establishing all the circumstances of the disaster, determining those responsible and cooperation with Turkish authorities. TRNC Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu accompanied the prime minister on the trip.

The Filo Jet was sailing on the Girne–Taşucu route and sank shortly after departing from Girne’s tourist port. By the eleventh day after the disaster, the bodies of 14 people had been found, while 14 other passengers and crew members remained missing. Turkish Navy vessels TCG ALEMDAR and TCG IŞIN are operating in the accident area; Üstel had previously said that the search was continuing around the clock without interruption.