Citizens deployed in Tartous to rescue drowned migrants at sea, Sept. 22, 2022. (Photo credit: provided by Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT-DAMASCUS – At least 34 migrants believed to have left Lebanon were found dead on Thursday off the northwestern Syrian port city of Tartous, while 14 others were rescued, according to Syrian authorities. The incident comes shortly after another migrant boat left last week from Lebanon and was rescued in the Mediterranean.
The Syrian Ministry of Health said that "twenty people are under treatment at al-Bassel hospital in Tartus".
According to L'Orient Today's correspondent, the boat, on which a Lebanese flag is flying, is believed to have set sail from the village of Minieh (North Lebanon). Rescue teams and fishermen are continuing the search operations.
Additional reporting by Michel Hallak