Search Continues After Refugee Boat Capsizes Off Cyprus, Leaving Seven Dead

At least 20 Syrians were aboard the vessel, with two survivors rescued and many still missing as hopes for finding others fade.

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.