Ongoing excavations at several locations
New excavations are currently underway across Cyprus as efforts to resolve the fate of missing persons continue. According to the Greek Cypriot representative to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), Leonidas Pantelides, searches are taking place in multiple areas, including Kato Deryneia, Karavas, Ampelikou, Lapithos, Syrianochori, Galateia in Karpasia and Strovolos.
In one case in Karavas, remains with military clothing were discovered in a well at a depth of 12 metres, raising hopes that additional missing persons may be identified.
Large-scale search operation ongoing
Pantelides said that the search effort remains active despite increasing difficulties, noting that the most information-rich cases were resolved in earlier years. However, he stressed that there is still a possibility of locating unknown mass graves in the ongoing missing persons investigations.
He added that 126 excavations were carried out last year alone, bringing the total since 2006 to around 1,800.
Government strengthens identification efforts
Cyprus Commissioner for the Presidency, Marinos Hartsiotis, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the issue, describing it as a humanitarian priority rather than a political matter.
He announced a €1 million funding package for advanced genetic testing using mass parallel sequencing to analyse difficult remains from the Tymvos Makedonitissas site. The initiative aims to improve identification results in the missing persons programme.
So far, out of 1,619 missing persons, 859 have been identified, representing about half of the total cases. This includes 803 identifications through the CMP programme and 56 through the Republic of Cyprus programme.
Officials said that further identifications are expected in the coming year as new remains are processed.
Families continue to demand full truth
Representatives of missing persons’ families emphasised the importance of recent decisions by the Council of Europe, which urged Turkey to comply fully with European Court of Human Rights rulings.
They stressed that beyond locating remains, families seek full disclosure of the circumstances surrounding the fate of their loved ones.
Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios also highlighted that only full truth and accountability can bring closure and strengthen trust in efforts related to the missing persons issue.
Continued excavation challenges
Pantelides noted that military zones remain a key challenge, although recent procedural adjustments may improve access to excavation sites with fewer administrative barriers.
He said cooperation with international bodies, including the Council of Europe, continues to support ongoing fieldwork and search operations.
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