06.09.2026 17:10
Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ünal Üstel stated that 5 bodies have been reached so far and 15 losses are still being searched for, and said that a detailed report on whether it is technically possible to remove the debris will be prepared by tomorrow evening. Üstel said, "I will personally go to Istanbul tomorrow to pick up that report and then proceed to Ankara from there."
The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, stated that 5 bodies have been reached so far and 15 missing people are still being searched for, adding that a detailed report on whether it is technically possible to recover the wreckage will be prepared by tomorrow evening.
5 BODIES REACHED IN 8 DAYS
The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, made a statement to the press regarding the latest developments following the Filo Jet disaster that occurred off the coast of Kyrenia on August 30. Stating that search and rescue efforts continued day and night on the eighth day, Üstel noted that operations are ongoing 24/7 and said, "Today is the eighth day of search and rescue efforts. So far, 5 bodies have been reached. Search and rescue operations for our 15 missing people are still ongoing."
"TODAY WE COULD NOT FIND ANY OF OUR BODIES"
Announcing that no new body was reached during the day's efforts, Üstel said, "In this regard, today we could not find any of our bodies. Accordingly, the Alemdar ship and the Işın ship continue their operations."
Üstel stated that they went to the ship in the region by helicopter to observe the search efforts on site, saying, "We arrived at the ship by helicopter about two hours ago. We saw the search efforts in progress there as well. The operations will continue uninterruptedly 24/7."
NEW STUDY ON THE WRECKAGE AT 554 METERS
Ünal Üstel announced that, in addition to search efforts, they are also conducting a study on whether the Filo Jet wreckage located at a depth of 554 meters can be recovered from the sea, aiming to eliminate questions in the public mind. TRNC Prime Minister Üstel said, "While conducting search efforts on one hand, on the other hand, to ensure no questions remain about whether we can bring this ship wreckage up from 554 meters, there are 5-6 relevant companies in Turkey dealing with this matter. We have contacted them."
TECHNICAL EXPERTS FROM TURKEY ON THE FIELD
Stating that the contacted companies sent their technical personnel to the TRNC, Üstel announced that experts conducted an examination on TCG Alemdar. Ünal Üstel said, "They sent us technical personnel for this purpose. They carried out this technical study from the Alemdar ship and then returned to the Republic of Turkey."
A DETAILED REPORT WILL BE PREPARED
Stating that after the technical examination, experts began preparing a report, Üstel said the report will reveal whether it is possible to recover the ship wreckage at a depth of 554 meters.
Ünal Üstel said, "By tomorrow evening, they are producing a detailed report that will eliminate the questions of whether we can or cannot remove this wreckage from there."
"I WILL PERSONALLY GO TO ISTANBUL TO RECEIVE THE REPORT"
Announcing that he will personally receive the report to be prepared, TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said, "Tomorrow, I will personally go to Istanbul to receive that report and from there I will proceed to Ankara."
HIGH-LEVEL ASSESSMENT IN ANKARA
Stating that he will go to Ankara after Istanbul, Ünal Üstel said the report will be evaluated at the highest level with Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu. The TRNC Prime Minister said, "In Ankara, we will discuss and evaluate this at the highest level with our Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Fikri Ataoğlu, and when we come to you, we will also eliminate the questions in your minds about whether we can or cannot remove this wreckage."
THANKS TO TCG ALEMDAR AND TCG IŞIN PERSONNEL
At the end of his speech, Ünal Üstel thanked the Turkish Naval Forces elements and personnel who participated in the search efforts following the Filo Jet disaster. Ünal Üstel said, "In this regard, I once again thank the personnel of the Alemdar ship from the Republic of Turkey, the personnel of the Işın ship from the Republic of Turkey who have not left us alone since the first day, and the President, Vice President, Minister of National Defense, Chief of General Staff of the Republic of Turkey, and all individuals, institutions, and organizations who have contributed, on behalf of myself and my people."