Massive Queues at Metehan Border Crossing as Bayram Approaches

Giant queues formed early this morning at the Metehan border crossing as people rushed to cross ahead of the Kurban Bayram holiday.

The chaos stemmed from a lack of preparation by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC), which failed to anticipate the increased traffic during the holiday and did not assign additional staff to handle the surge.

As of 8:00 a.m., only one Greek Cypriot officer was present to inspect all vehicles, resulting in hours-long delays. Many citizens were left standing in the heat, visibly frustrated.

Some travelers expressed outrage, saying that the shortage of staff at border checkpoints—particularly on special days like religious holidays—feels deliberate rather than accidental.