-
Tragedy in the Mediterranean: Syrians Drown off Cyprus with 7 Victims
-
This tragedy highlights the ongoing suffering of Syrians in coastal areas and emphasizes the urgent need for radical solutions that provide security, stability, and dignity for citizens across all Syr
Cypriot media revealed a new tragedy in the Mediterranean after a migrant boat that left the Syrian coast of Tartus with about 20 people on board capsized, resulting in the death of at least seven people in the Cypriot search and rescue zone.
Cypriot authorities reported rescuing only two people and recovering seven bodies, indicating that search operations are continuing for any other survivors or victims in an incident that reflects the ongoing suffering of Syrians seeking a better life.
The Deputy Commander of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, Admiral George Economou, stated today, Tuesday: "The search for the missing continued throughout the night with continuous intensity in a massive operation," explaining that "our main concern is to find more survivors, after the two we found yesterday (Monday) and the recovery of seven bodies of men."
Economou indicated that "the bodies were transferred to the morgue of Limassol General Hospital, while the two survivors are receiving treatment at Larnaca and Famagusta General Hospitals, as they are in a state of distress, dehydration, and hypothermia," adding that "time is not on our side."
Several naval helicopters and police patrol boats are participating in the extensive search operation, as the incident occurred 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Cape Greco, at the southeastern tip of the island.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center confirmed that the incident occurred within Cyprus's search and rescue responsibility area, but outside its territorial waters, while the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported that one of the survivors informed authorities that about 20 passengers were on board the boat, indicating that they were Syrians who departed from the port of Tartus in Syria.
In recent years, Cyprus has witnessed an increase in the number of irregular arrivals by boats departing from the coasts of Syria and Libya, mostly Syrians in addition to Lebanese and Palestinians, as the island is located less than 200 kilometers from the Syrian and Lebanese coasts.
The continuing phenomenon of Syrian migration by sea is an indicator of the ongoing difficult living and security conditions in their areas, especially in light of the tensions and successive events witnessed in the coastal region targeting Alawites and pushing many of them to seek safety for themselves despite the high risks associated with these sea journeys.
