Excavation teams of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) are currently operating at eight different locations—seven in the North areas and one in the South of Cyprus.
So far, no human remains have been discovered during these excavations.
According to sources, there are currently nearly 300 pieces of information under evaluation concerning possible new excavation sites. Out of these, approximately 100 are considered credible and will form the basis for new digs in the near future.
Excavations were never completely halted during the summer. The number of active teams was temporarily reduced from eight to four during August, but as of the beginning of September, full operations with all eight teams have resumed. Currently, seven teams are working in the occupied areas and one in the government-controlled areas.
Two teams are excavating in the village of Assia, specifically focusing on well sites. One team is using drilling techniques, while the other is employing specialists due to the archaeological significance of the site. The information in both cases pertains to missing Greek Cypriots, though it remains unclear whether they were civilians or soldiers. No remains have been found at these locations yet.
Another team is active in the Karpasia Peninsula, in the village of Galatia. The crew is working in the lake of Galatia, which is currently dry, making this an ideal time for excavation. Two mass graves were discovered in the same lake in 2006 and 2015, leading to the identification of 18 individuals. New information suggests there may be another burial site in the area with the remains of one to three individuals. Excavations continue at the indicated spot, but no findings have been reported so far.
A separate team is excavating in Metochi, in the North part of Nicosia, based on reports from Turkish Cypriots who claim that remains were seen in a particular field in 1974 and were later moved using machinery to the edge of the field. The CMP team has been working on this site for over 30 working days. The area where the search takes place has been expanded, but no remains have been found to date.
Another excavation is underway near the village of Kioneli, in an area where Greek forces (ELDYK) were active in the past. In previous years, remains of ELDYK soldiers were recovered in nearby locations. The current excavation is expected to conclude next week, and so far no findings have been reported.
Two additional excavations are in progress in the occupied areas, one in Pano Dikomo and one in the Turkish Cypriot village of Komurcu. In Pano Dikomo, the dig is taking place in a riverbed where Greek Cypriot soldiers were reportedly buried. In Komurcu, the excavation focuses on a limekiln believed to possibly contain the remains of Greek Cypriots. Both excavations are in the early stages, and no remains have been discovered yet.
The eighth active excavation site is located specifically in Engomi, Nicosia. The investigation targets seven sites where wells once existed. The information relates to missing Turkish Cypriots from the 1963–64 period. No remains have been found at this location either.
( Source:CNA)
