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| Cyprus rescue mission for 300 stranded in boat off Paphos | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Cyprus has launched a rescue mission for 300 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, stranded off the island's west coast. | Cyprus has launched a rescue mission for 300 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, stranded off the island's west coast. |
| Most of the people on the small fishing boat are believed to be women and children. | Most of the people on the small fishing boat are believed to be women and children. |
| They were spotted 55 nautical miles (100km) south of the resort town of Paphos. Helicopters are at the scene. | They were spotted 55 nautical miles (100km) south of the resort town of Paphos. Helicopters are at the scene. |
| Cypriot authorities said they picked up a radio distress signal as the boat was caught in rough seas. | Cypriot authorities said they picked up a radio distress signal as the boat was caught in rough seas. |
| Coastguard patrol boats and a cruise ship have gone to the scene, Cypriot media report. | |
| This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in overcrowded boats - particularly people fleeing the conflict in Syria. The majority have headed for Italy and Malta. | This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in overcrowded boats - particularly people fleeing the conflict in Syria. The majority have headed for Italy and Malta. |
| Libya, racked by unrest and lawlessness, has become a major people-trafficking hub. However, Cyprus lies closer to Syria. | Libya, racked by unrest and lawlessness, has become a major people-trafficking hub. However, Cyprus lies closer to Syria. |