Authorities recovered seven bodies as they search for more after a boat carrying migrants from Syria sank off Cyprus on Monday.
Port and Maritime Police vessels have retrieved the bodies while conducting a search and rescue operation approximately 24-25 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco.
Rescue teams have successfully saved two survivors from the water, with the first survivor reporting that the vessel was carrying a total of 21 people before it sank. All passengers were reportedly Syrian nationals who had departed from the port of Tartus in Syria.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaca is coordinating what has developed into a major multi-agency response. Assets deployed to the area include:
- One naval vessel
- Four Port and Maritime Police boats
- A National Guard helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle
- A Police helicopter
- Medical personnel from the State Health Services Organisation ambulance service
- Cyprus Police personnel
Authorities continue searching for approximately 12 individuals still unaccounted for.
Cyprus has experienced an increase in migration in recent years, particularly with people coming from Syria and neighbouring countries experiencing prolonged conflict and economic hardship.
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(File photo)
