UPDATE: 345 people rescued from boat stranded off Cyprus
Last edited Thu Sep 25, 2014, 11:39 AM - Edit history (1)
Source: AP-Excite
By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS
LIMASSOL, Cyprus (AP) A cruise ship picked up hundreds of people, apparently refugees who fled Syria, who were stranded aboard a small boat off Cyprus on Thursday, officials said.
The Cypriot Defense Ministry the 345 people, including 53 children, would arrive at the country's southern port of Limassol Thursday evening. They will then be taken to a reception center near the capital Nicosia where they will be given shelter and medical attention.
Salamis Cruise Lines Managing Director Kikis Vasiliou told The Associated Press that one of its cruise ships was instructed to change course and pick up the people packed aboard the smaller vessel.
The Defense Ministry said the boat issued a distress call early Thursday amid bad weather and had "most likely" set sail from Syria loaded with "civilian refugees."
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