Turkish adventurers on world tour held in Eritrea

ISTANBUL

The whereabouts of three Turkish adventurers who set sail for a world tour on their catamaran have remained unknown for the past 36 days, as they were last reported to have taken refuge in the east African country of Eritrea as COVID-19 became a pandemic and due to bad weather conditions at the time, Hürriyet daily columnist Fatih Çekirge reported.

The three Turkish sailors, Selim Ekmekçioğlu, İbrahim Iğnak and Lütfi Erman Atamer, were set to sail in the Red Sea at the last stage of their world tour.

They, however, had to take refuge along the coast of Djibouti due to the emergence of COVID-19 outbreak.

The adventurers, who supplied their materials with the help of the Turkish Embassy in the country, sailed again for their return to Turkey, but this time could not continue their way due to severe storm.

As the sailors approached Eritrea’s Massawa Port after informing the Turkish Embassy in the country, “soldiers” allegedly climbed onto the boat and turned their route to Penisola di Buri island, 29 nautical miles from Massawa.

Since no more news was received from the sailors, their anxious families applied to authorities, but no diplomatic contacts were found due to an authority void in the African country.

The last information on the sailors is that they were taken to an unknown location, as one said in a text message, and that the soldiers were on the boat and the use of their phones was prohibited.

The only substantial information the families have been able to obtain from Turkish missions is that they were taken to a region in the Dehlek archipelago and their health was in good condition.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu wrote to his Eritrean counterpart, as Turkish Ambassador Aykut Kumbaroğlu’s attempts have failed due to the authority void in the country, the report said.

However, Eritrean authorities have not yet responded to this letter, according to the information obtained.

Kumbaroğlu, who is trying to contact the authorities, also waits for news from the commander in charge in the region, according to Şeyda Ekmekçioğlu, the wife of the sailor Selim Ekmekçioğlu.

As efforts to reach the sailors continued, the Eritrean Navy sent a news that they were flying a search and rescue helicopter and found the catamaran, although there is no news that the catamaran has disappeared.

As concern over their situation grows, Turkish missions are continuing to establish communication with the sailors.

  Message of congratulations

Asmara, 01 June 2020- Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain sent message of congratulations to the people and Government of Eritrea in connection with the 29th Independence Day anniversary.

In his message Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman wished good health to President Isaias Afwerki and peace and prosperity to the Eritrean people.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain also sent similar message of congratulations to the people and Government of Eritrea.

The two officials expressed their country’s readiness to develop friendly relations and mutual cooperation with Eritrea.

Nationals in Diaspora celebrate Independence Day anniversary

Asmara, 30 May 2020- Nationals residing in Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands enthusiastically celebrated the 29th Independence Day anniversary under the theme “Resilience and Progress”.

According to report, Eritrean nationals in Toronto, Canada, celebrated the Independence Day anniversary by waving the Eritrean flag in the streets of the city respecting the guidelines of social distancing and gathering.
Nationals in Brussels, Belgium also celebrated the 29th Independence Day with patriotic zeal.

Congratulating the Eritrean people and its Defense Forces, Mr. Negassi Kassa, Eritrean Ambassador to the European Union, said that the celebrations the Eritrean people conducted across the world attests to the love they have to their country and people.

Nationals in the Netherlands also celebrated the Independence Day anniversary through the social media outlets.

Mr. Solomon Mehari, Eritrean Consul in the Netherlands commending the organizers of the program, called on nationals to strengthen contribution to the effort the people and Government of Eritrea are exerting to

More contribution to bolster National Fund

Asmara, 30 May 2020- Contribution by nationals to bolster the National Fund to combat COVID-19 pandemic is stepping up.

According to the Task Force of the Ministry of Health, affluent individuals in Tesenei contributed 273 thousand and 850 Nakfa, Mensura sub-zone 27 thousand and 79 Nakfa, and seven administrative areas in Tesenei sub-zone and St. Church in Tinsheai contributed a total of 65thousand and 390 Nakfa.

Similarly, ten administrative areas and small businesses in Dubarwa sub-zone contributed a total of 80 thousand and 587 Nakfa.

Other small business and cooperative associations in the Southern and Central regions also contributed a total of 21 thousand and 500 Nakfa.

The administrative areas of Guila, Mensura sub-zone, and Denbe-Gu’uf extended material and financial support.

In related news a number of administrative areas in the Northern and Southern Red Sea regions and members of the Eritrean Defense Forces in the areas extended financial and food items in support of disadvantaged citizens, while house owners decided that the families renting their houses to live free of rental fees ranging from one to seven months.