A new migrant tragedy has unfolded off Cyprus, as a six-year-old boy died of malnutrition after days in the sea.
Another three people from Syria are still missing, as according to police, they left the boat to seek help.
Two others are currently receiving medical treatment, one of whom is in a critical condition.
Cyprus Police have arrested a 22-year-old man, identified as the navigator of the ill-fated vessel, on charges of manslaughter.
Investigations by the Larnaca Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are ongoing to ascertain if any of the other 30 migrants rescued were involved in human trafficking.
The vessel, described as being in poor condition, embarked from the border region between Syria and Lebanon, with 35 people onboard on February 20. Among the passengers were a woman, her husband, their four children, and eight unaccompanied minors.
Survivors, who were rescued in an operation by the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) on February 29, recounted their ordeal, stating that adverse weather conditions left the boat adrift, ultimately depleting its fuel, food, and water supplies.
To survive, the people resorted to drinking seawater.
According to the father of the six-year-old, on February 27, the boy, weakened by malnutrition and prolonged consumption of seawater, began exhibiting severe health issues.
He died the next day, February 28.
The father said that the boat’s passengers decided to throw the boy’s body into the sea, wrapped in a blanket, to prevent health risks.
To seek help, three men fell overboard and attempted to reach land using makeshift flotation devices. They are still missing.
The disappearance of the boat was initially brought to the attention of the Republic’s authorities on February 23, as reported by Petros Zenios, Deputy Director of Operations at the Immigration Service.
The alert came from concerned relatives of the passengers, who had lost all contact with their families.
Following the report, a search and investigation were launched, involving coordination with Interpol in Beirut, Damascus, Ankara, and Athens.
The vessel was eventually located on February 29, 58 nautical miles off the coast of Larnaca, and the rescue operation led to the rescue of 31 individuals.
Among the rescued were two people who were immediately hospitalised due to severe hypernatremia caused by the ingestion of seawater; one of them is currently intubated and in a critical state.
The 22-year-old man, initially detained on suspicions related to human trafficking, faces re-arrest and charges including manslaughter and negligent homicide.
(File photo)
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