A total of 1,100 people have been identified from the official bicommunal list of missing persons in Cyprus, while 250 fallen soldiers have also been identified, the Greek Cypriot representative to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) said on Tuesday.
Leonidas Pantelides was speaking before the Parliamentary Refugee Committee, which examined recent developments concerning missing persons in Cyprus.
New remains found in occupied areas
Pantelides said that six missing persons were recently located, with two found in Kyra Morphou, two in Lapithos and two in Lefkoniko.
He also noted that 129 excavations were carried out last year.
Currently, eight excavation teams are operating, seven of which are working in the occupied areas, he added.
Progress in identifications
Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis said that, out of the 1,619 Greek Cypriot missing persons, 859 have been identified, while 760 identifications remain pending.
Of those identified, 803 were identified through the Committee on Missing Persons, while 56 were identified through procedures carried out by the Republic of Cyprus.
Greek nationals and 1963-64 missing persons
Hartsiotis also said that, among the 77 missing persons from Greece, 40 have been identified.
Regarding the 40 people who went missing during the 1963-64 period, 18 have been identified, he added.
The Committee on Missing Persons continues its work through excavations, investigations and identification procedures aimed at resolving outstanding cases.
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