Mon Mar 17 17:58:51 UTC 2025: ## Cyprus Boat Capsizing Highlights Rise in Mediterranean Refugee Crossings
**NICOSIA, CYPRUS** – At least seven bodies have been recovered following the capsizing of a refugee boat off the coast of Cyprus, highlighting a concerning rise in irregular crossings into the European Union via the Mediterranean Sea. A major search and rescue operation is underway, with an unknown number of people still missing.
Two survivors were rescued on Monday from international waters approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco. One survivor reportedly stated that the boat carried roughly 20 Syrian refugees who departed from the Syrian port of Tartous.
The incident comes amidst a report from Frontex, the EU border protection agency, indicating an increase in irregular crossings into the EU across the eastern Mediterranean in 2023, despite an overall decline in other areas. While Cyprus has seen a significant drop in asylum applications and irregular maritime arrivals this year due to stricter government policies, the tragedy underscores the ongoing risks faced by refugees attempting the perilous journey.
Cyprus, situated close to the Syrian and Lebanese coasts, has long served as a transit point for refugees seeking refuge in Europe. Although the Cypriot government reports a net outflow of asylum seekers and a significant number of Syrians returning home following recent political shifts, the latest capsizing serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of irregular migration. The UN estimates that 125 refugees died in the eastern Mediterranean last year, a figure believed to be an underestimation. The search for survivors and missing persons continues.
First Piper 