The Syrian Ministry of Health announced late Thursday that the number of casualties from the migrant boat sinking off Tartus has risen to 61, according to the latest figures reported by Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh. The Ministry of Transport stated that search operations were halted at night due to "high waves which pose a risk to rescue teams." It noted that "the patrols along the coast are monitoring the situation and are on high alert for any emergencies."
According to a report from the ministry, Syrian Maritime Ports Director General Brigadier General Samer Qabrsli mentioned that the boat departed from the beach of Minyeh in Lebanon on Tuesday, carrying between 120 to 150 people. He explained that the director of the Arwad port informed the directorate at 4:30 PM the same day "about a drowning incident of a young man near one of the anchored ships. We then sent a boat to investigate and rescue him, at which point the body of a child was found, and the bodies of the victims began to surface."
He added that most of the victims and survivors were found near Arwad Island, with others located near Umariyya, Montar, and various other sites. He noted that the Lebanese side did not officially inform Syrian authorities about the missing boat, "but there were communications between the Syrian and Lebanese Ministries of Transport following the incident."
The Ministry of Health stated that 20 individuals are receiving treatment at the Al-Basel Public Hospital in Tartus, and emphasized that the casualty figures are "not final." The ministry indicated that "all necessary medical services are being provided to the injured," and that "healthcare personnel in Tartus Governorate are on complete alert, especially within the ambulance and emergency systems and at the Al-Basel Public Hospital."
