Search will continue for missing persons who were on board a boat which capsized off the coast of the island Monday, leaving at least seven dead, Cyprus Ministers of Defence Vasilis Palmas and Justice Marios Hartsiotis said.
The ministers made statements at the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Larnaca which oversees the search following the incident near Cape Greco, in the southeastern part of Cyprus.
A warship, an aircraft of the Hellenic Navy, four vessels from the Port and Maritime Police, a Police helicopter, a helicopter of the British Bases, passing ships as well as medical staff and Police personnel were mobilized following the incident.
Two persons, who are migrants, were rescued and are getting treatment in hospitals in Larnaca and Famagusta. The authorities transferred seven dead persons to the Limassol Hospital morgue.
Defence Minister noted that the operation will continue throughout the night, in the hope of locating people who are missing.
Replying to questions by the Press, the Ministers said that in the recent days, there has been increased alertness by the Coast Guard, adding that “today’s incident with the survivors was a completely random incident within the framework of the increased patrols that the Coast Guard is conducting these days”.
They said that these patrols and specific measures by the Cyprus authorities are updated daily based on the information available from the various Services and Cyprus’ Intelligence Service.
According to the Ministers, the mobilization was immediate, hence within a very short period of time, the authorities managed to save two people. The patrol today, they said, at the specific time was conducted in international waters. They added that the scope of action of the Joint Rescue and Coordination Center essentially extends to the FIR of the Republic of Cyprus, which reaches and enters in some cases the territorial waters of Syria and Lebanon.
Justice Minister Hartsiotis specifically said that the authorities receive information daily, from non-governmental organizations or from vessels sailing in the area and the information is assessed.
He said that the passengers on the boat were all Syrian male.
No Frontex personnel in the region is taking part in the operation, George Economou, Deputy Commander of the Center said.
Replying to questions about pushbacks, the Minister of Defence noted that Republic of Cyprus always acts within the framework of the law of the sea and international law. He said that they cannot accept any accusations or criticism about pushbacks.
In another question as to whether the authorities expect an influx of migrants because of the situation in Syria, Defence Minister said that patrols have increased recently.
Palmas added that the field of action, the search and rescue area that has been assigned to the Republic of Cyprus, is a vast area in the eastern Mediterranean, “hence our responsibility as a state is very substantial”.
Justice Minister said that today’s operation has a particular seriousness, but above all “it shows the reflexes of the Republic of Cyprus which was able, within a very short period of time, to respond to such a serious operation”.
Defence Minister replying to questions said that it is possible for Syrians to want to leave Syria because of the situation and the change of regime in the country. He said that for this reason the patrols are increased.
The two ministers also said that the Cyprus President is being informed of the developments following the shipwreck
