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A desperate search is underway in the waters off Cape Greco after a boat carrying over 20 Syrian men capsized 25 nautical miles offshore, in international waters. Despite overnight rescue efforts, authorities have yet to locate any additional survivors.
The tragedy unfolded on Monday afternoon, when search and rescue teams, led by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC), managed to recover seven bodies and rescue two survivors. The deceased were transferred to Limassol General Hospital, while the survivors, dehydrated and exhausted, are receiving medical care—one in Larnaca General Hospital and the other in Famagusta General Hospital.
Authorities launched a full-scale operation, using air and sea patrols, with support from the National Guard, Police, ambulance service paramedics, and passing vessels. But as of Tuesday morning, efforts have been unsuccessful in finding more survivors.
High-Level Briefing and Search Challenges
On Monday evening, Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas and Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis were briefed at the JRCC in Larnaca. Officials revealed that the two survivors were found by chance by a Marine Police patrol boat that had been monitoring the area due to heightened security measures.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Palmas said the rescued men were too weak and dehydrated to provide immediate details about the incident. "They need medical attention first before they can explain what happened and how many people were on board," he said.
Minister Hartsiotis clarified that the Marine Police patrol had been operating outside Cyprus' territorial waters, in international waters, and beyond the country's contiguous zone. He also explained that Cyprus' search and rescue responsibilities extend into its FIR (Flight Information Region), which overlaps with parts of Syria and Lebanon’s territorial waters.
The Ongoing Search
With the weather conditions changing, search teams are racing against time to locate any missing passengers. Rescuers fear the worst as hours pass with no further signs of life.
Authorities have not yet determined how or why the boat overturned, but the incident is the latest in a series of dangerous migrant journeys across the Mediterranean.
This developing story will be updated as new information becomes available.
