Three bodies and two survivors have been recovered from a sunken boat found approximately 25 nautical miles off Cape Greco in international waters.
According to reports from CNA, after receiving information about the discovery of the boat, a major rescue operation was launched under the supervision of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC).
More than 20 people were believed to be on board the vessel, and the rescue operation involves the Port and Maritime Police as well as the National Guard. Police helicopters are also expected to assist in the effort to locate passengers still at sea.
By 4:00 PM, three bodies had been recovered, while two survivors were rescued and transported—one to Larnaca General Hospital and the other to Famagusta General Hospital.
According to Sigma TV, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas are heading to the JRCC Larnaca for further coordination.
In an official statement, the JRCC Larnaca announced that from 17 March 2025 at 13:00, a search and rescue operation has been underway to locate missing persons following the capsizing of a migrant boat in the sea area 30 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco, within the search and rescue responsibility area of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia FIR) but outside territorial waters. The operation is being coordinated by the JRCC and involves one warship, one helicopter, one unmanned aerial vehicle from the National Guard, four Port and Maritime Police vessels, one police helicopter, paramedics from the OKYPY ambulance service, and personnel from the Cyprus Police.
The operation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing efforts to locate more missing persons.
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