Syrian Migrants Rescued from Sinking Boat off Cyprus Coast, Two Suspects Arrested for People Smuggling

Two Syrian men were arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of people smuggling after 16 Syrian migrants were rescued from a sinking boat off the island's coast.

The migrants, 18 on a wooden boat and 27 on an inflatable craft, were all from war-torn Syria.

The suspects, aged 45 and 46, will remain in custody for four days while the investigation continues.

This is the second such incident in as many days, with 29 men, five women, and 11 children being rescued on Thursday.

Cyprus has seen a rise in migrants arriving by boat, with a 60% increase recorded in the first five months of 2023 compared to last year.

Most migrants arrive from the port of Tartus, Syria, although fighting has subsided since 2020.