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Cyprus rescue mission for 300 stranded in boat off Paphos | Cyprus rescue mission for 300 stranded in boat off Paphos |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Some 300 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, have been rescued by a cruise ship off Cyprus after their boat ran into trouble in rough seas. | |
They were taken aboard the ship, Salamis Filoxenia, Limassol port master Girgos Pouros said. All are said to be in good health. | |
Most of the people on the small fishing boat that sent a distress signal were women and children. | |
They were spotted 55 nautical miles (100km) south of the town of Paphos. | |
"It was quite a difficult operation," Kikis Vasiliou, director of Salamis Cruises that owns the cruise ship, was quoted as saying by the Cyprus Mail website. | |
"All the passengers are safe." | |
The vessel was expected to dock in Limassol later on Thursday. | |
Cypriot authorities earlier said they picked up a radio distress signal as the boat was caught in rough seas. | |
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. |