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Cyprus rescue mission for 300 stranded in boat off Paphos Cyprus cruise ship 'refugees refuse to disembark'
(about 5 hours later)
Almost 350 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, have been rescued by a cruise ship off Cyprus after their boat ran into trouble in rough seas. Almost 350 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, are refusing to disembark from a cruise ship that rescued them off the coast of Cyprus, officials say.
They were taken aboard the ship, Salamis Filoxenia, Limassol port master Girgos Pouros said. All are said to be in good health. Salamis Cruise Lines Managing Director Kikis Vasiliou said they were insisting they be taken to Italy instead.
The cruise ship is in the port of Limassol and all those rescued are said to be in good health.
The Cypriot defence ministry said 52 children were on the small fishing boat that had sent a distress signal.The Cypriot defence ministry said 52 children were on the small fishing boat that had sent a distress signal.
They were spotted 55 nautical miles (100km) south of the town of Paphos. It was spotted in rough seas 55 nautical miles (100km) south of the town of Paphos.
The defence ministry said all 345 people on board the fishing boat had been rescued. "It was quite a difficult operation," Kikis Vasiliou, director of Salamis Cruises that owns the cruise ship Salamis Filoxenia, was quoted as saying by the Cyprus Mail website.
"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.""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.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.