Migrants in a makeshift boat as they try to reach Europe by sea from Lebanon. (Photo credit : Sent by Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — Several appeals were launched on social media Wednesday for authorities to rescue passengers on a migrant boat, which left Lebanon last week and lost contact Monday.
The boat was last known to be located off the Greek island of Crete, according to L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent. This is one of dozens of recent irregular crossings as many people try to escape the devastating economic crisis in Lebanon.
"Contact was lost 48 hours ago," our correspondent reported Wednesday. The Greek coastguard and Red Cross were alerted to the missing boat, but no rescue has been reported.
"We ask the Lebanese State to act on their behalf through the embassy, putting pressure on the Greek authorities to save [the missing passengers]," said one of the appeals on social media.
On Wednesday, the Lebanese Army stopped a boat of irregular migrants with 55 people on board, which departed from the northern Lebanese town of Arida. The troops said they found the boat six nautical miles — about 11 km — from the Lebanese shore. The boat's captain managed to escape on a skiff before the army arrived.
In recent weeks, dozens of makeshift boats have left the Lebanese coast destined for Europe with hopes of escaping Lebanon, which is sinking deeper into crisis. Most of these boats — often overloaded with passengers and in dilapidated condition — do not reach their intended destinations, instead requiring rescue at sea.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.