Search for missing persons in Cyprus advances with new excavations and DNA efforts

Efforts to locate and identify people who disappeared during Cyprus’ past conflicts are continuing across several areas of the island, with new excavation activity reported in both the occupied and government-controlled areas.

According to Leonidas Pantelides, the Greek Cypriot representative for the Committee on Missing Persons, current digs are taking place in the occupied area of Kato Deryneia at Agios Memnonas. Investigators are searching for twelve civilians, including women and children, within a military zone that contains two suspected burial points. Work is also underway in Karavas near the site of the 1974 landings, where human remains dressed in military clothing were previously discovered inside a well about twelve meters deep. There are indications that more individuals may be buried in that location.

Additional excavation sites include Ambelikou, where earlier discoveries have prompted an expansion of the search, as well as locations in Lapithos, Syrianochori, Galatea in the Karpasia region, and Strovolos.

Speaking at a press briefing connected to the 41st Marathon of Love for the Missing, Marios Hartsiotis emphasized that the government intends to continue its work in coordination with families, scientists, and institutions to determine what happened to those still unaccounted for. He also announced funding of one million euros for advanced DNA analysis. This testing, which will use mass parallel sequencing, targets remains from the Makedonitissa Tomb that had previously been exposed to chemicals, making identification extremely difficult. The work will be carried out by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and is expected to begin in May.

Hartsiotis added that a new phase of analysis has already started on small bone samples from the Lakatamia Military Cemetery, and plans are moving forward to create a permanent anthropological laboratory under the Ministry of Defense to strengthen scientific capabilities.

Family organizations also drew attention to recent discussions at the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers regarding Turkey’s compliance with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights on the missing persons issue. Representatives of relatives believe international pressure remains essential for progress.

Pantelides estimated that ongoing excavation efforts could result in 30 to 35 identifications this year, although the process is becoming more complex over time. He reported that 126 excavations were carried out last year, bringing the total since 2006 to around 1,800. So far, 1,069 individuals have been identified, while 933 cases remain unresolved across both communities.

The issue of missing persons stems from periods of intercommunal violence in 1963–1964 and the events of 1974, when Turkish invasion of Cyprus led to the division of the island. Cyprus has remained split ever since, with a significant portion of its territory under Turkish control.

The CMP, established jointly by the two communities, is tasked with recovering, identifying, and returning remains to families. Its mandate covers 1,510 Greek Cypriots and 492 Turkish Cypriots who went missing during those periods.

Latest available figures indicate that out of 2,002 missing persons, 1,714 have been exhumed and 1,065 identified. Among Greek Cypriots, 764 have been identified while 746 are still unaccounted for. Among Turkish Cypriots, 301 identifications have been completed, leaving 191 cases unresolved.

Alongside the investigative work, fundraising efforts continue through initiatives such as the Marathon of Love. Church and foundation representatives say these activities help maintain public awareness and support for families who are still waiting for answers decades after the events.