A search and rescue operation to locate a migrant who reportedly jumped into the sea from a boat near Cyprus has been called off after 52 hours, officials from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) announced today.
The person had allegedly attempted to swim to the shore but has since been unaccounted for.
The operation was launched following intelligence received on January 20, about the departure of two vessels carrying migrants from Lebanon heading towards Cyprus.
During the search, three boats were located, resulting in the rescue of 188 migrants. They were safely transported to the port of Larnaca on January 21 for further processing by Cypriot authorities. The first boat, carrying 15 migrants, was located south of Cape Greco, while the second and third boats, carrying 145 and 28 migrants respectively, were found east and southeast of the same location.
Searches were conducted to locate the missing individual which, after 52 hours, did not yield any result.
Therefore, based on the evaluation of the available data so far and considering the extensive searches conducted authorities terminated the operation this morning at 8 a.m.
Personnel and vessels from Cypriot authorities and the Dhekelia SBA participated in the rescue effort.
