Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hacı Ali Özel arrived in the north overnight and visited survivors of the Kyrenia shipwreck being treated in hospital.
The maritime tragedy occurred off Kyrenia earlier on Sunday.
The north’s “health minister”, Hakan Dinçyürek, visited the general hospital in occupied Nicosia after midnight, where relatives had been waiting for several hours for updates.
Dinçyürek said the number of patients receiving hospital treatment had fallen significantly, with several already discharged. He added that no patients were in critical condition.
Erdoğan speaks with Turkish Cypriot leadership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held separate telephone conversations on Sunday afternoon with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and “prime minister” Ünal Üstel for updates and coordination following the Kyrenia shipwreck.
Erdoğan said Turkey was working closely with the authorities in the north to determine responsibility for the maritime tragedy.
Pakistan’s prime minister offers condolences
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences over the victims of the shipwreck, saying in a social media post that he was deeply saddened by the incident.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government and the bereaved families,” he said.
Sharif added that his thoughts and prayers were with those still missing and expressed hope that they would be found quickly and safely.
He also praised the continuing search and rescue operation.
Sharif said the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people of Turkey during this difficult time.
Also read: “Everyone was left to fend for themselves”: Survivor accounts of the Kyrenia shipwreck
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