Cyprus Rescues 60 Migrants from Boat Including Children

Cypriot authorities announced today, Wednesday, that they "rescued 60 migrants from a small boat off the coast of Cyprus, including three children and a man who were found unconscious on board." The authorities stated, "Initial indications suggest that the boat sailed from Lebanon on January 18." The Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Cyprus mentioned, "All migrants were transported to the hospital, including the four who were found unconscious and three others injured with lower limb fractures." Officials confirmed that the boat's passengers, all of whom are Syrian, departed from Lebanon on January 18. Cypriot officials indicated that "the incident highlights the risks faced by individuals with smuggling networks," adding that "the incident will rekindle the issue at an informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Justice and Interior this week." The Alarm Phone service, which operates in the field of maritime migrant rescue, reported on Sunday that relatives of migrants contacted them after losing contact with a boat carrying between 50 and 60 people that left Lebanon on January 18. Authorities dispatched rescue helicopters and patrol vessels after a commercial ship reported sighting a small wooden fishing boat approximately 30 nautical miles off Cape Greco, the southeasternmost point of Cyprus.