Efforts to repatriate the body of Turkish Cypriot mountaineer Birkan Uzun who died in a tragic skiing accident in Oregon, United States on the first day of the New Year are continuing.

In the meantime, President Ersin Tatar’s Special Representative Ergün Olgun sent a letter to the US Ambassador to South Cyprus Judith Garber requesting information on the investigation being carried out into the incident.

The letter stated that, in accordance with the wishes of the family of Birkan Uzun, a request was made for the outcome of the investigation being carried out by the authorities in Oregon in relation to the circumstances surrounding Birkan’s death, to be shared.

“In this most unfortunate situation, and with the consent and approval of Birkan’s family, we are writing to request that you use your good offices for a full investigation to be carried out and a detailed report compiled in relation to the circumstances surrounding his death,” the letter read.

In response, Ambassador Garber on Tuesday extended her “deepest condolences to Birkan’s family,” and said Mr Uzun had “a zest for life and an inspiration to many”.

She also said she was reaching out to the relevant law enforcement authorities in Oregon for an update on the status of the investigation.

Uzun, an investment consultant in Washington State, hailed from the TRNC was on a mission to complete the Seven Summits, climbing the highest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents.

Last month, Uzun had climbed Vinson Massif in Antarctica, the first Turkish Cypriot to reach that summit, as he waved the TRNC flag, reaching the fifth of the seven summits on his mission.

Media reports said that the Turkish Cypriot mountaineer had died after falling into a tree well whilst skiing.