Overview

• A refugee boat carrying at least 20 Syrians capsized in international waters southeast of Cyprus, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
• Seven bodies have been recovered and two survivors rescued, but no additional survivors or bodies have been found as of March 18, 2025.
• The boat reportedly departed from Tartous, Syria, a region affected by ongoing instability, highlighting the persistent migration crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• The rescue operation involves Cypriot authorities, military helicopters, drones, and a British base helicopter, though hopes of finding more survivors are diminishing.
• Cyprus remains a key transit point for asylum seekers, with the highest per capita asylum applications in the EU, despite recent reductions in arrivals due to stricter policies.