Victims of “death boat” on Syria’s coast rises to 94
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Death toll of the boat carrying migrants from Lebanon that sank off Syrian coast has risen to 94, Syria’s state-run TV said on Saturday.
The survivors’ toll reached 19, and they are hospitalized in Tartus, Lebanese authorities said on Sunday.
The survivors included 12 Syrians, five Lebanese, and two Palestinians.
They are now being treated in al-Bassel Hospital in the city of Tartus, according to Lebanese authorities.
This is the deadliest incident so far as an increasing number of Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians have been trying to flee Lebanon by sea to Europe in search of jobs and stability.
There were conflicting reports on the number of migrants on board when the boat sank. Some said they were at least 120.
On September 23, the Lebanese army said troops stormed the houses of several suspected smugglers, detaining eight people involved in trafficking people abroad.