More than 70 migrants die after shipwreck off the coast of Syria

At least 71 migrants died after the boat they were traveling in sank off the coast of Syriaindicated the Ministry of Transport of Lebanon this Friday (09.23.2022).

The entity detailed that more than 100 people, mostly Lebanese and Syrians, were aboard the small ship, which capsized in the Mediterranean off the coast of the Syrian city of Tartus.

Some 20 survivors are being treated in hospitals in Syria, the Reuters news agency reported.

Tartus is the southernmost of the main Syrian ports and is located just over 50 kilometers north of the Lebanese port city of Tripoli.

Due to the serious economic crisis in Lebanon, more and more Syrian and Palestinian refugees, as well as Lebanese, they try to cross the Mediterranean Sea in makeshift boats to reach European countries, including the island of Cyprus, 175 kilometers from the Lebanese coast.

According to UNat least 38 boats carrying more than 1,500 people have illegally left or attempted to leave Lebanon by sea since 2020.