Families of several boat migrants stuck in Turkey and Greece protest in Akkar, Sept, 29, 2022. (Credit: sent by Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — The families of transit migrants currently detained on the shores of Turkey and Greece staged a protest in Akkar on Thursday to demand the repatriation of their loved ones, L'Orient Today's correspondent in North Lebanon reported.
The estimated 180 travelers, including women and children, departed from Lebanon on multiple vessels bound for Europe, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent. It was not immediately clear how many boats were detained.
The families called on Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and General Security's head Abbas Ibrahim to intervene and repatriate the passengers.
According to the families, Turkish authorities are allegedly demanding a release fee of $150 to $200 per person. Many family members said their relatives don't have enough money to finance their own release and instead called on the Lebanese government to settle the matter.
Last week, over 100 people of Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian descent were found dead when a boat that had departed from North Lebanon sank off the coast of Tartus.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.