Victims Identified in Fatal Minibus Crash on Girne–Değirmenlik Road

More details have been released following a tragic accident involving a minibus carrying people with disabilities. The police have confirmed the names of the deceased and those injured.

The accident occurred in the early afternoon near Arapköy, on the main Girne–Değirmenlik road. Two people lost their lives, and nine others were injured and taken to hospital.

Those who died at the scene have been identified as Ali Özarapköylü, the driver of the private vehicle, and Raja Sharıq Amin, a passenger.

List of the Injured:

• İbrahim Arıcı

• Mustafa Arioğlu, 38

• Cemil Edip, 41

• Sevim Çepni, 31

• Oğuzcan Karlıtepe, 23

• Kayhan Soğukelli, 41

• Işık Berber, 41

• Umut Ulaş, 25

• Muhammed Akif Pasha, 38

Seven of the injured were taken to Akçiçek Hospital in Girne, where they received emergency treatment and are now under observation in the same ward. Two others were transferred to the state hospital in Nicosia.

Following the incident, Minister of Labour and Social Security Sadık Gardiyanoğlu and Director of the Department of Social Services Alef Ecevit visited the injured in hospital.

“We are deeply saddened by this traffic accident, which claimed two lives,” said the Minister. “Thankfully, our citizens with disabilities and the minibus driver survived with various injuries, and their lives are not at risk. We came here as soon as we were informed. Their treatment is ongoing. May God have mercy on those who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

Prime Minister of the TRNC Ünal Üstel also commented on the tragedy, stressing that all necessary medical assistance is being provided.

“I extend my condolences to the families of the two people who lost their lives in this heartbreaking accident,” said the Prime Minister. “We are closely monitoring the condition of the injured in coordination with the relevant ministry. I also send my best wishes to the people with disabilities who, thankfully, only suffered minor injuries, as well as to the minibus driver, and I hope they all recover quickly.”