Rescue services called to aid of sinking refugee boat off Protaras coast

A rescue operation for some 50 migrants of unconfirmed origin aboard a sinking boat off the coast of Cavo Greco, Famagusta, was underway on Tuesday night by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

The boat sent a distress signal at approximately 8pm on Tuesday, prompting a rescue operation that featured police and army aircraft and marine police and navy boats.

Cypriot authorities also engaged a Unifil frigate patrolling Lebanon’s waters to assist with the rescue.

On board were mostly women and children, some of whom had jumped into the water to escape the sinking boat.

A police source said the boat was located approximately seven miles off the coast off Protaras, and that the rescue operation was being conducted in adverse weather conditions, involving winds of 20 to 27 knots.

The rescued migrants were transferred to the Famagusta and Larnaca General hospitals, with some showing symptoms of hypothermia.

The incident mobilised the civil defence and other departments, and Defence Minister Christophoros Fokaides rushed to JRCC headquarters to oversee the rescue operation.

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