Seven dead after migrant boat sinks off Cyprus coast
- Seven bodies have been recovered and two survivors rescued following the sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Cyprus.
- The boat, believed to be carrying Syrians, capsized while en route from Tartous, Syria.
- The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of migration in the eastern Mediterranean and rising irregular border crossings.
In Cyprus, seven bodies were recovered on March 18, 2025, following a tragic incident involving a migrant boat that sank off the southern coast of the island. The boat was reported to have been carrying at least 20 individuals, most of whom were believed to have abandoned from Tartous, Syria, in hopes of seeking a better life in Europe. Officials from the Joint Rescue Coordination Center confirmed that a search and rescue operation was initiated shortly after the vessel was located, which involved military helicopters, drones, and rescue vessels. Among the recovered individuals were two survivors found alive, who assisted authorities by providing details regarding the composition of the passengers on board. Reports indicated that the migrants were primarily Syrian nationals fleeing worsening conditions in their home country. As search efforts continued, the fate of additional individuals believed to be missing remains uncertain.