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Cyprus mounts rescue operation for ‘Syrian refugees’ stranded aboard vessel Cyprus mounts rescue operation for ‘Syrian refugees’ stranded aboard vessel
(about 1 hour later)
A cruise ship was trying on Thursday to rescue hundreds of people stranded aboard a trawler off Cyprus, whom officials said were apparently refugees fleeing Syria.A cruise ship was trying on Thursday to rescue hundreds of people stranded aboard a trawler off Cyprus, whom officials said were apparently refugees fleeing Syria.
Kikis Vasiliou, the managing director of Salamis Cruise Lines, said one of its vessels has been instructed to change course and pick up the estimated 300 people, most of them women and children.Kikis Vasiliou, the managing director of Salamis Cruise Lines, said one of its vessels has been instructed to change course and pick up the estimated 300 people, most of them women and children.
A Cypriot defence ministry statement said they were most most likely civilian refugees from Syria, and that their vessel was about 50 nautical miles off Paphos in south-west Cyprus. A Cypriot defence ministry statement said they were most likely civilian refugees from Syria, and that their vessel was about 50 nautical miles off Paphos in south-west Cyprus.
Vasiliou said the Cypriot search and rescue service had asked his company to help in the rescue operation on Thursday morning, when the cruise ship was on its way back to Cyprus from the Greek islands.Vasiliou said the Cypriot search and rescue service had asked his company to help in the rescue operation on Thursday morning, when the cruise ship was on its way back to Cyprus from the Greek islands.
The vessel, with a crew of 230 and a passenger capacity of 800, would be able provide blankets, medical care and food for those rescued while taking them to the port of Limassol.The vessel, with a crew of 230 and a passenger capacity of 800, would be able provide blankets, medical care and food for those rescued while taking them to the port of Limassol.
A defence ministry statement said there had been “inclement weather conditions” in the area, but no other reason was given for the trawler issuing a distress call. The ministry said those rescued would be given shelter in Cyprus.A defence ministry statement said there had been “inclement weather conditions” in the area, but no other reason was given for the trawler issuing a distress call. The ministry said those rescued would be given shelter in Cyprus.
Thousands of migrants fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and north Africa attempt to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, often in unseaworthy vessels, and hundreds have died at sea.Thousands of migrants fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and north Africa attempt to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, often in unseaworthy vessels, and hundreds have died at sea.