Syrian child dies in Cyprus one day after being rescued
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A Syrian child died on Thursday in a hospital in Cyprus a day after being rescuedby Cypriot authorities, along with 59 other Syrians, from a boat off the southeastern coast of the country.
On Wednesday, Cypriot authorities announced the rescue of 60 Syrian migrants from a small boat off the country’s shores after several days of being reported missing.
The boat had departed from Lebanon on Jan. 18, according to Cypriot authorities.
Health Services spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou told the Cypriot state broadcaster that the child experienced a heart attack and resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
Two other children, aged three and five, remain in ICU, while two minors and two adults with leg fractures are receiving treatment in the Cypriot capital, the spokesperson said.
The incident has shed light on the issue of human smuggling rings, which take advantage of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge in Europe.
A 47-year-old man has been taken into custody by Cypriot authorities on suspicion of driving the boat and being associated with the smuggling ring responsible for organizing the trip.