Lebanese army rescues 200 migrants from sinking boat, 2 confirmed dead

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Dec 2022 23:11

Between January and November of last year, the UNHCR estimates that at least 1,570 migrants, including 186 Lebanese nationals, had embarked on illicit sea crossings.

Two dead, 200 rescued in Lebanon migrant boat sinking: army

Lebanese authorities said on Saturday that 200 migrants were rescued by the Lebanese navy and a UNIFIL mission from a boat that capsized off the coast of Tripoli, near Selaata.

Reports confirmed that two of the migrants that were among the group died as a result of the incident.

According to sources, the majority of the migrants were of Syrian origin, while 50 were Lebanese nationals.

"Three naval ships, accompanied by another from UNIFIL (the UN mission in Lebanon), arrived at the site... off Selaata and personnel saved some 200 people," the army said on Twitter.

Another tweet said that two migrants had died.

الجيش اللبناني: توجهت دورية من القوات البحرية لإنقاذ مركب يغرق حالياً قبالة شاطئ سلعاتا ـ الشمال، وعلى متنه أشخاص كانوا يحاولون مغادرة المياه الإقليمية اللبنانية بطريقة غير شرعية.. pic.twitter.com/izakLC5nIV
— أخبار سوريا الوطن Syrian 🇸🇾 (@SyriawatanNews) December 31, 2022

Earlier today, the army said that three naval boats were dispatched to the rescue of a vessel that was packed with people who were "illegaly leaving Lebanese waters."

UNIFIL later confirmed on Twitter that it was assisting the Lebanese navy in the rescue operation.

UNIFIL Maritime Task Force is assisting Lebanese Navy in search and rescue operation at sea between Beirut & Tripoli where a boat in distress with a large number of people on board was found. Our Indonesian and Greek ships are on the scene.
We will continue to provide assistance
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) December 31, 2022

In September this year, a similar incident cost the lives of 100 migrants when their boat capsized off the Syrian coast after departing from Lebanon.

Migrants often depart from Lebanon heading to Europe, with Cyprus, which is about 175 kilometers away, being one of the main destinations.

Between January and November of last year, the UNHCR estimates that at least 1,570 migrants, including 186 Lebanese nationals, had embarked on illicit sea crossings.