At Least 34 Migrants Dead After Lebanese Boat Sink Off Tartus, Syria

Sep. 22 (EUROPA PRESS) –

At least 34 migrants have drowned after the Lebanese boat they were traveling in sank off the Syrian port city of Tartus, the Syrian Ministry of Health said in a statement.

“Oxygen support is being provided to most of those affected and some have been transferred to the intensive care unit. Each patient is being treated according to their injury,” he explained, adding that there are at least 20 people receiving treatment in Al Basel Hospital.

The Ministry of Health has issued an alert to medical personnel and the emergency system of the city’s Health Directorate, which is monitoring the rescue, which has been complicated by high waves in the area.

According to preliminary information released by the Syrian Ministry of Transport on its Facebook profile, the boat left Lebanon with about 150 migrants. Bodies have been turning up near Arwad Island, as well as in Amrit and Mantar.

The general director of the Syrian Sea Ports, General Samer Kobrosali, explained that the Lebanese side has not reported the loss of the vessel, but that there is coordination between the Ministries of Transport of both countries.