Thursday, Mar 20 2025 | Time 16:56 Hrs(IST)
WorldPosted at: Mar 18 2025 10:22AM


7 dead after refugee boat capsises off Cyprus coast

Nicosia, Mar 18 (UNI) Seven people have been confirmed dead after a refugee boat capsized off the southeastern coast of Cyprus on Monday, authorities said.
Search efforts are ongoing for missing passengers, while two survivors, both Syrian men, have been rescued, according to the Cyprus News Agency.
The vessel, carrying 21 Syrian migrants, had departed from Tartus, a coastal city in northwestern Syria, approximately 200 kilometers from the accident site. Survivors reported that the boat had capsized four days before being discovered.
A warship, a Hellenic Navy aircraft, four Port and Maritime Police vessels, helicopters, passing ships, and medical teams have been mobilized for the rescue mission.
This incident marks the first reported case of a refugee boat attempting to reach Cyprus from Syria since the collapse of the Assad regime last December.
Authorities have intensified patrols in recent days due to increased migration activity. With ongoing instability in Syria following the regime change, officials fear a potential rise in migrant crossings.
Due to its proximity to Syria, thousands of Syrians have sought refuge in Cyprus during the prolonged Syrian conflict. Many arrived aboard small vessels or traveled through Turkiye, reaching the Turkish-controlled northern part of the eastern Mediterranean island before crossing the UN-policed buffer zone.
UNI XINHUA ARN
Tags: #7 dead after refugee boat capsises off Cyprus coast
More News

Inauguration of Lukashenko to take place on March 25: Reports

20 Mar 2025 | 1:31 PM

Minsk, Mar 20 (UNI) The inauguration of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will take place on March 25, the state-run Belta news agency reported on Thursday.

see more..

Israeli military says missile from Yemen's Houthis intercepted

20 Mar 2025 | 1:19 PM

Jerusalem, Mar 20 (UNI) The Israeli military intercepted a missile launched by militants in Yemen, which triggered sirens across central and southern Israel, including Tel Aviv, early on Thursday.

see more..

Bangladesh strongly condemns renewed Israeli aggression on Gaza

20 Mar 2025 | 12:55 PM

Dhaka, Mar 20 (UNI) The Bangladeshi interim government has expressed its strongest condemnation and profound concerns over the resumption of Israeli military aggression in the Gaza Strip.

see more..

2 IS militants killed in central Iraq

20 Mar 2025 | 12:30 PM

Baghdad, Mar 20 (UNI) Two Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and two others wounded on Wednesday in a clash with Iraqi forces in the central province of Salahuddin, the Iraqi military said.

see more..
Malaysia approves exploration firm to resume search for MH370: Official

Malaysia approves exploration firm to resume search for MH370: Official

20 Mar 2025 | 12:13 PM

Kuala Lumpur, Mar 20 (UNI) Malaysia's Cabinet has agreed to terms and conditions of the service agreement with exploration firm Ocean Infinity to resume the search for the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said here on Wednesday.

see more..