Cyprus rescues 45 Syrian migrants from two sinking boats

International

23-06-2023, 15:56

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Baghdad-INA

Cypriot emergency services have rescued 45 Syrian migrants from two boats after receiving information that they were in difficulty near a coastal tourist resort, authorities said Friday.

The Search and Rescue Coordination Center on the Mediterranean island said it carried out an operation off Capo Greco, during which it managed to transfer 29 men, five women and 11 children to safety.

Police said they were in good health and were taken to a migrant reception center on the outskirts of the capital, Nicosia.

Two people, aged 20 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of being responsible for sailing the boats, and they are supposed to appear in court on Friday.
The people rescued on Thursday evening were 18 irregular migrants on a wooden boat and 27 others on a rubber boat.