The number of victims has increased The migrant boat left a few days ago From Lebanon to Europe and drowned off Syria, 76 people have so far been killed, Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamiyah announced today Friday amid ongoing efforts to search for survivors and recover the bodies.
On Thursday afternoon, Syrian authorities began finding bodies in the sea off the coast of Tartus (northwest).
So far, 20 people from the affected boat have been rescued and taken to hospital in Syria for treatment. Syrian authorities indicated that most of the survivors were receiving oxygen assistance and some were transferred to intensive care.
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Ambulances at the port of Tartous in preparation for transporting survivors rescued from the sea to hospital
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According to Syrian TV, the boat was carrying at least 150 people.
Hamiya said there were about 45 children on board the boat and none of them survived, but she couldn’t confirm the number. He added that the boat was “very small” and made of wood.
For their part, the families of the drowned Lebanese have begun to receive mourners in an atmosphere of sadness and anger. People who fear that their relatives may be among the victims gathered at the border crossing with Syria, awaiting the arrival of the bodies.
Yesterday the general director of Syrian seaports, Brigadier General Samer Kobarli, quoted the survivors as saying that “the boat left Lebanon – Miniyeh (north) a few days ago with the intention of emigrating” with passengers of different nationalities. on board axis.
For his part, the Lebanese Transport Minister, Ali Hamiyeh, indicated in a tweet that “the boat is carrying Lebanese”, but did not specify their number.
Lebanon, with a population of 4.5 million, is home to 1.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled the war that has ravaged their country for over 10 years. In addition, tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon, most of them in 12 camps.
According to the World Bank, since 2019 Lebanon has been going through one of the worst economic crises internationally since 1850, caused by the mismanagement and corruption of the ruling class that remained virtually unchanged for decades.
In light of the deteriorating economic and living conditions, the number of migrants attempting to flee Lebanon by sea has doubled and their destination is often the island of Cyprus, the European country located off the Lebanese coast.
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Relocation of a survivor to receive first aid at the port of Tartous
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Last April a boat sank Load of migrants off the coast of Tripoli (North) killed six and caused great resentment in the country in crisis.
According to the United Nations, since 2020 at least 38 boats carrying more than 1,500 people have left or attempted to leave Lebanon by sea.
On 13 September, the Turkish Coast Guard announced the killing of six migrants, including two children, in the Aegean Sea, while 73 others who were trying to reach Italy were rescued after leaving Tripoli in northern Lebanon.
The Lebanese authorities repeatedly declare their frustration attempts at illegal immigration Beyond the sea.
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