FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Cyprus Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas said Tuesday that it is “increasingly unlikely” more survivors will be found after a refugee boat capsized off the island’s southeastern coast.
The vessel, carrying an estimated 20 to 25 people, overturned in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescue teams recovered seven bodies and saved two individuals on Monday.
“According to experts, a person can survive for a maximum of 40 hours in water temperatures ranging from 16 to 17 degrees Celsius,” Palmas said. “As more time passes without locating additional survivors, it becomes increasingly probable that more bodies will be found instead.”
Authorities are seeking further details about the boat’s journey from the two survivors, who are receiving medical treatment in a hospital. Palmas described them as “in shock and deeply distressed,” suffering from dehydration and hypothermia. He added that their initial accounts have been incoherent due to their physical and emotional state.
Palmas said a non-governmental organization alerted Cyprus’ Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) on Sunday about the missing boat. A subsequent aerial search failed to locate the vessel. On Monday, a Cypriot National Guard navy boat spotted a survivor floating in the sea, and later, a helicopter rescued another survivor. Seven bodies were also recovered. Authorities reported that the passengers were likely all Syrians between 25 and 30 years old.
Earlier Tuesday, Deputy JRCC Commander Adm. George Economou said a “large-scale operation” is underway to find those still missing.
This marks the first reported attempt by a refugee boat to reach Cyprus from Syria since the Assad regime’s collapse last December.