31.08.2026 17:11
The mother of the two children lost when a passenger ship capsized off Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ayten Biçer, tearfully asked for help in finding her children. Mother Biçer's words, 'Let someone come and bring out my child, dead or alive,' broke hearts.
Ayten Biçer, the mother of Saliha Miray (12) and Mehmet Asaf Biçer (6), who went missing in the shipwreck off Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), wept and said, "I have lost 2 children. My daughter slipped from my hands. She was holding my hand like this. The suitcase fell, and she slipped away. The suitcase fell, and my daughter was gone," and asked for her children to be found.
The passenger ship, which departed from Kyrenia, TRNC, yesterday at 12:00 to travel to Taşucu, Mersin, was lowered from the deck shortly after and capsized. 241 people on the overturned ship were rescued, 8 passengers lost their lives, and 20 people went missing.
ONE OF THE SIBLINGS SURVIVED ON HIS OWN, 2 ARE MISSING
The Biçer family of 5, who set out to return to their hometown of Reyhanlı, Hatay, after their holiday in Cyprus, also got caught in the disaster on the ship. Of the family's 3 children, their daughter Saliha Miray and son Mehmet Asaf were swept away by the current and went missing. Their other son, Halil Kerem Biçer, managed to climb to the topmost point of the sinking ship and jump from there into the sea. Hayri Biçer (42), his wife Ayten (35), and their son Halil Kerem Biçer were rescued by the teams.
"SOMEONE COME AND PULL MY CHILD OUT DEAD OR ALIVE"
While search and rescue operations continued in the region, Ayten Biçer, from the couple who came to the shore today to await news of their children, collapsed. Describing the moment of the disaster in tears, Biçer said, "I have lost 2 children. My daughter slipped from my hands. She was holding my hand like this. The suitcase fell, and she slipped away. The suitcase fell, and my daughter was gone. Someone come and pull my child out dead or alive. Is my child's head stuck somewhere? Did glass get into his eyes? At home, if a glass breaks, I sweep it 10 times so it won't touch their feet. I used to make 10 different dishes because they wouldn't eat. I didn't deserve this, my God."
BAŞARIR: FEARED THE NUMBER OF MISSING COULD INCREASE
Meanwhile, Ali Mahir Başarır, who was part of the delegation that went to the region, provided information on the latest situation at the search and rescue area. Başarır stated, based on his meetings with officials, that the number of missing could rise to 20. Başarır also visited the Biçer family and other families waiting for news of their missing loved ones.
The large-scale search and rescue operation, carried out by sea and air in the region, is ongoing.