The Optimus Prime, a vessel specialising in deep-water search and rescue operations, has begun work at the site of the Filo jet wreck off Kyrenia, where the vessel sank on 30 August.
The ship is equipped with specialised technical equipment and is expected to search the wreck, which lies 554 metres below the surface.
No new bodies have been recovered since 7 September, while relatives of those still missing continue to gather daily at Kyrenia port, waiting for updates.
New vessel to search inside wreck
The Optimus Prime is owned by a private Turkish company and was chartered by the Turkish Cypriot administration last week during the visit of Turkish Cypriot “prime minister” Ünal Üstel to Istanbul and Ankara.
Üstel said on Sunday that the vessel’s technical capabilities would allow search teams to reach the interior sections of the wreck.
“We aim to reach the internal sections of the wreck, which are 554 metres below the sea, and find our missing people,” he said.
Changes in Turkish Cypriot administration
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot media reported that Faiz Sucuoğlu is taking over as the new “minister of transport” on Monday.
He will receive the portfolio from Özdemir Berova, who had been serving as acting “minister of transport” while also holding the “finance minister” portfolio.
Sucuoğlu previously served as “prime minister” at the beginning of the current administration’s term, before resigning from the position and the leadership of the National Unity Party (UBP). Üstel subsequently took over both positions.
Hasan Taçoy is also taking over as “minister of economy and energy”, replacing Olgun Amcaoğlu.
Former minister faces anger from relatives
According to Turkish Cypriot media, both Sucuoğlu and Taçoy belong to the internal opposition within the UBP and had at times refused to attend key votes in the “parliament”.
Sucuoğlu is replacing Erhan Arıklı, who was removed from his post several days after the Filo jet wreck and on the same day his party withdrew from the “government”.
Arıklı visited the Kyrenia port area for the first time on Saturday, where relatives of the missing have been waiting for news.
Turkish Cypriot media reported that he faced anger and strong reactions from relatives gathered at the site.
Also read: Kyrenia shipwreck: Final victim laid to rest as search operations continue
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