OMM Redaksiyası
A group of irregular migrants rescued from a boat that sank off Lebanon’s northern coast on Sept. 9 has been handed over to Syrian authorities at the Al-Arida border crossing.
Operative Information Center-OMM reported, citing foreign media outlets.
According to the reports, Lebanese naval personnel rescued 21 Syrian nationals from the water on Sept. 8.
The boat, which they had allegedly used in an attempt to travel illegally to Cyprus, caught fire and sank near the port of Tripoli in northern Lebanon.
The total number of people aboard the boat remains unknown. Search-and-rescue operations are continuing off the Lebanese coast.
Three of those rescued were hospitalized with severe burn injuries.
The incident highlights the risks faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus is a member of the European Union, while Lebanon and Syria are located along routes used by people seeking to reach Europe by sea.
