More Bodies Found in Northern Cyprus and Antalya

Decaying bodies have been discovered on the beaches of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Antalya.

At the end of last week, another severely decomposed body washed ashore in Northern Cyprus. Authorities in Antalya report that five such bodies have been found on the beaches of the Turkish resort over the past few days. Authorities suspect that the remains belong to drowned refugees.

The latest grim discovery was made last Friday in Dipkarpaz. Around 13:00, a fully decomposed female body was found on one of the beaches.

Recall that earlier last week, another body belonging to an unknown man was discovered in the Picnic Burnu area of Dipkarpaz. A week before, there were reports of a female body found on a beach in the Bafra hotel area. Thus, the total number of bodies reached three. Identifying the bodies is not possible as none of them had any identification documents, and their severe decomposition adds to the challenge.

Meanwhile, as reported by Kibris Postasi, Melissa Turkkala, a legal consultant for the Refugee Rights Association, speculates that the deceased were likely Syrian refugees since the clothing they wore was manufactured in Syria.

It was previously revealed that people leaving Lebanon went missing at sea, with the majority of them being Syrian nationals.

Additionally, Northern Cyprus is not the only place where bodies are being washed ashore in large numbers. According to the statement from the Antalya Governorate, six bodies have been found on the beaches of the resort in the last five days. The clothing of five bodies found on Antalya's beaches was also manufactured in Syria.

According to a statement published by the Antalya Governor on December 11, 2023, a boat with 90 people in the coastal area between Lebanon and Syria set sail towards Cyprus, and communication with the boat was lost after a few hours.