The illegal construction boom in the occupied territories, which is altering the reality on the ground, undoubtedly affects both the issue of missing persons and archaeologists’ investigations to locate burial sites based on eyewitness accounts, as well as excavations conducted in the hope of uncovering remains for identification.
One such case involves a hotel that began to be built illegally in the late 1980s in occupied Lapithos. As Leonidas Pantelidis reported to CNA, the Greek Cypriot representative to the CMP, a worker who was employed at the construction site at the time reported that human remains were discovered at some point during construction. The contractor ordered that the bones be covered and construction continue. “The witness provided detailed information about the exact location. Efforts were made to convince [the contractor], but they fell on deaf ears,” said Mr. Pantelidis.
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Later, due to financial difficulties, construction halted, and the building was taken over by a new contractor who decided to demolish it. According to Mr. Pantelidis, the DEA contacted him, and he was open to allowing the Commission’s archaeologists to be present to oversee the demolition work in order to potentially locate the site and subsequently providean excavation by DEA archaeologists to potentially locate the remains.
On Monday, November 2, two teams went to the area, and investigations are ongoing. “We are optimistic,” Mr. Pantelidis told CNA.
A similar case involving soldiers in a well
Another case in which the CMP faced access problems involves eight soldiers believed to be buried in a well, in the garden of a house that was illegally purchased by a German national who stubbornly refused to grant permission for an investigation.
According to Mr. Pantelidis, the German sold the mansion years later, and now the DEA is in contact with the new buyer to persuade him to allow excavations at that specific location.
“He is somewhat receptive to the idea, and we are discussing it,” said Mr. Pantelidis.
In this specific case, since the well is no longer visible, GPR (Ground-penetrating radar) to scan the ground and pinpoint the exact location where the well was originally built.
It is worth noting that, with regard to the use of advanced and specialized technological methods, the DEA has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Cyprus Institute. In the past, technology was used in a pilot program by experts from the U.S. and Canada. These experts are expected to return to Cyprus to train their students in the field.
Ongoing Investigations
Based on updated data from the CMP, 1,090 of the total 2,002 missing persons (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) have been identified. In addition, another 217 individuals who are not included in the CMP’s official list have been identified. Of the 1,090 identified, 765 are Greek Cypriots and 325 are Turkish Cypriots. In 2026, 28 individuals were identified, of whom 27 are on the official list of missing persons and 1 is not on the CMP’s official list. In 2025, 12 identifications were made.
So far, among the ongoing excavations, one has been completed in Agios Georgios Spathariko, where information indicated the possible burial of two Greek Cypriots in a well. Two sets of remains belonging to two individuals were located. The team has now moved to a well in Trikomo, where reports indicate the presence of the remains of three Turkish Cypriots from the 1963–64 period and Greek Cypriot burials from 1974 at the same location. An excavation in Koutsoventi for one Greek Cypriot was also completed, though no remains were found.
In Karmi, an excavation is underway in a military zone based on information indicating the burial of one Turkish Cypriot. This is the penultimate excavation in a military zone for this year.
In Lapithos, the first phase of the excavation has been completed, with the remains of two individuals located; work is continuing. Extensive excavations are also taking place in Exo Metochi. Reports indicate the burial of 4–6 Greek Cypriots, but no findings have been made so far.
In Neo Chorio Kythrea, near Mia Milia, fragments and small bones corresponding to one individual were discovered during an excavation. The information refers to the burial of 4–5 Greek Cypriots at a specified location. An excavation was also completed without any findings in Livadia, Famagusta, regarding the burial of a Greek Cypriot in a pit. The team moved to an area in Galatea, where excavations began on Monday, November 2. In Gerolakko, investigations are continuing based on information regarding the burial of Turkish Cypriots from 1963–1964.
It is worth noting that the investigative process has already been completed for approximately 100 cases that were added to the list of sites to be excavated; excavations will take place in the coming months, depending on the availability of teams. Additionally, approximately 300 cases are currently under investigation.
The case of the fallen
A list maintained by the Republic of Cyprus includes at least 550 Greek Cypriot war dead for whom, however, the CMP does not have a mandate to investigate. However, as Leonidas Pantelidis explains to CNA, it would be beneficial and useful to allow for some flexibility in including a number of such cases in the CMP’s work where families request it.
“We are not asking for a change in the terms of the mandate because that would take time, but a slight relaxation would facilitate the procedures so that we could, for example, conduct 5–10 such excavations per year,” he explains.
It is worth clarifying that such investigations were conducted as part of the Republic of Cyprus’s program for Turkish Cypriot war dead buried in the free areas, following requests from the families.
Most of the fallen have been buried in areas where missing persons may also be located, which complicates the situation. In total, 217 individuals have been identified in addition to the number listed on the official roster.
Mr. Pantelidis explains that there are three lists: the list of the deceased for whom the DEA has no mandate. In addition to the CMP’s official list, there is a third list containing 126 names, half of which have already been identified.
He describes a case where an excavation was conducted in an area in Morphou, where 24 individuals were found, one of whom was buried in a coffin with an unidentified person. However, the CMP was unable to proceed with the exhumation.
The CMP, he concludes, is carrying out a humanitarian mission.
