Turkish army issues statement following boy’s death

The Turkish army in Cyprus says it will take measures following the tragic death of a teenager in the north, who died when he came into contact with an undetonated explosive.

According to Turkish Cypriot media in the north, the army issued a statement regarding the death of Makhir Ismailov, saying security forces will continue to locate and destroy undetonated explosives as well as take additional security measures at all shooting ranges.

The army also said they will notify in advance all local administrations in all districts regarding military exercises.

Makhir, a 13-year-old boy from Georgia, was killed last week when he accidently detonated an unexploded hand grenade during a search for scrap metal to help his family that had fallen on hard times.

The statement comes days following public outcry about the death of the boy, who had been missing for hours prior to his own family discovering his lifeless body in a pool of blood in a field east of Morphou/Guzelyurt.

A similar incident took place in the summer where a number of construction workers were injured after coming into contact with an undetonated explosive during road work.