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Cyprus cruise ship 'refugees refuse to disembark' | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
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. | |
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. |
It was spotted in rough seas 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 Salamis Filoxenia, was quoted as saying by the Cyprus Mail website. | |
"All the passengers are safe." | "All the passengers are safe." |
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. |