The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) is currently conducting excavations at eight sites, seven of which are in the north and one in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus. As of now, no remains of missing persons have been discovered at any of these sites during the excavation work.
Regarding new areas where excavation work is set to begin, sources have confirmed to CNA that there are currently close to 300 related reports being evaluated.
Around 100 of these reports, which the investigators believe to be credible, have been confirmed for immediate excavation.
According to CNA, excavation work never completely stopped throughout the summer; however, the number of teams was reduced from eight to four in August, and from September, work has resumed with all eight teams.
Currently, seven teams are working in the north, and one team is working in the government-controlled areas.
Two teams are excavating in the village of Assia, focusing on wells, one of which is using a well-drilling method, while the other uses specialized techniques due to the archaeological interest and nature of the wells.
The information regarding these cases pertains to Greek Cypriot missing persons, though it remains unclear whether they are civilians or soldiers. As of now, no remains have been discovered.
Another team is working in the Karpasia peninsula, specifically in the village of Galatia. According to CNA, the team is excavating in the Galatia lake, which is currently dry, making the summer months the ideal time for such an operation.
In the past, two mass graves were discovered in this lake in 2006 and 2015, and 18 individuals were identified from the findings.
As it stands, there is a tip suggesting the presence of another burial site at the lake, which may contain one to three individuals. Excavations are continuing in this area, though no results have been found yet.
Another team is working at the village of Exo Metochi in the north of Nicosia, where information from Turkish Cypriots indicated the sighting of bones in a specific field in 1974. These remains were reportedly moved with mechanical equipment "towards the edge of the field." This team has been working for over 30 working days, but no remains have been found so far. The excavation site has since been expanded.
Additionally, another team is working outside the village of Kionelli, in an area predominantly used by the National Guard (ELDYK) in the past. Near this site, bones of ELDYK soldiers had been discovered in the past. This excavation is expected to be completed next week, but no remains have been found so far.
Two more excavations are ongoing in the north, one in Dikomo and another in Kioumourtzi. In Pano Dikomo, the excavation is being conducted in a riverbed, based on information regarding missing Greek Cypriot soldiers. In Kioumourtzi, the excavation is taking place at a lime kiln, where, according to reports, the remains of Greek Cypriots may be found. No results have been discovered at either site, but the work is still in its early stages and has not been completed.
The eighth site where excavations are taking place is in the government-controlled areas, specifically in the Engomi region of Nicosia. The work here concerns seven wells believed to be related to Turkish Cypriot missing persons from the 1963-64 period. As of now, no remains have been found in Engomi either.