Every section of the sunken ship has been searched, and no other bodies were found inside it, announced “Prime Minister” Ünal Ustel today, following the renewal of the detention order for the nine suspects in the August 30 shipwreck, sparking a backlash from relatives of the missing and victims who are demanding justice.
As reported in the occupied territories, Mr. Ustel also announced that the voyage data recorder (VDR) was located today and handed over to the “police” for examination.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Houthis attacked airports in Saudi Arabia
Mr. Ustel met today with the families of the missing persons and briefed them on the latest developments in the investigations.
In a written statement, Unal Ustel noted that during today’s briefing with the relatives, Orhan Taktak, owner of Deep Water, provided detailed information regarding the search operations. Images were shown illustrating how the interior of the ship was searched and how each section was accessed by cutting into it.
“There is no area left on the ship that has not been searched. Extensive searches have not revealed any other remains inside the ship. The body found last week was also recovered under extremely difficult conditions. However, our search is not over. We are continuing our efforts in the air, on land, and at sea to find any bodies that may be underwater or on the surface,” the statement added.
This update sparked a reaction from the relatives who, according to the Yeni Düzen website, feel they have been stringed along for days and are demanding that their loved ones be found so they can proceed with burial.
Meanwhile, the nine suspects in the shipwreck case were remanded in custody for another seven days after appearing for the fifth time before the “district court” , while dozens of relatives of victims and missing persons gathered outside.
The “police investigator” reported to the “court” that on the second mate’s cell phone, they discovered photos in a WhatsApp conversation dated June 17, 2026, showing a broken left front bridge. They also noted photographs of the ship being repaired by the crew, emphasizing that the part in question was critical and required repair by specialists.
He added that neither the port authorities nor Turkish Lloyd (which issued the certificate of unseaworthiness) were informed of the damage. He also noted that they were still searching for a partner company authorized to oversee maintenance and repairs.
It was also reported that some suspects (crew members) gave voluntary statements and confirmed that the ship had sustained damage in the past.
At a press conference in front of the Kyrenia “courthouse,” the families held photos of their loved ones and banners reading “Not an accident, but murder,” “They didn’t die—they were killed,” “Their dreams were taken from them,” “We demand justice,” and “Our hearts are burning,” expressing their call for justice.
Dilek Ozbilgen, who lost her mother in the shipwreck, said that while “some sleep comfortably in their homes, we, the families, are waiting on the street by the port for the bodies of our children, siblings, spouses, mothers, and fathers. We’re not causing any disturbances here. We aren’t starting fights. We’re simply asking for information.”
The only comfort for the families now is to recover the bodies of their lost loved ones, bring them home, and bury them, he said, adding that they demand the search efforts be carried out much more quickly and intensively, and that families be provided with comprehensive and official information at least every other day.
She raised the questions of whether there were enough life jackets on the ship and whether the evacuation was carried out properly, wondering “If the evacuation had been carried out correctly and in a timely manner, would we still be here today waiting for the bodies of our 13 loved ones, including a 3-year-old baby?” The captain and the crew are standing trial. But where are the company officials? Where are the company’s employees? Is the port administration’s liability being investigated? Is the liability of the relevant transportation authorities who were on duty at the time of the tragedy being investigated? Who conducted which inspection? Who approved the voyage? Who saw no problem with this ship’s departure?”
Drawing attention to the fact that the crack in the ship’s left forward deck became known on June 17 and that information regarding the repairs carried out came to light during the court proceedings, she asked who had inspected the ship if such a problem was known.
Dilek Özbilen said that they now want specific answers, not just explanations, and demanded that it be revealed who made mistakes, who neglected their duties, and who failed to inspect, ignored the issue, or did not intervene in time—and that all of them be held accountable before the law.
Source: KYPE
