North Cyprus rescues Syrian migrant boat rejected by south Cyprus

A boat with 175 Syrian migrants that was refused entry to south Cyprus on Friday was rescued by Turkish Cypriot authorities in the early hours of Saturday after it capsized off the coast between the villages of Taşlıca and Boltaşlı.

Special police teams helped to rescue the people who were then transported to İskele at around 3.30 am on Saturday

The boat was first spotted off Cape Greco on the south-east coast of the island on Friday. 

South Cyprus’ marine police went to deter the vessel from heading for shore. 

According to Turkish Cypriot media, Kibris Postasi, the fishing boat was carrying 30 women, 69 children and 76 men.

They were taken to the Fazil Kucuk Sports Centre and given blankets, food and water.

Some of those on board showed signs of fever and were separated from the others in the group, said the report.

According to a report by Cyprus News Agency on Saturday, the boat occupants refused fuel, supplies and water brought to the boat by Cyprus Marine police when they were told the supplies were to help them return to the country from which they had sailed.

The 15-metre-long fishing boat remained in play off some 13 nautical miles off Cape Greco until 11pm Friday night after which time it set sail and some time later, crossed the Maritime Security Line – an extension of the buffer zone – into ‘TRNC waters’, report Cyprus Mail.