MEDITERRANEAN
Death toll nears 20 as migrant boat sinks off Cyprus
Istanbul — At least 19 migrants drowned and up to 30 were missing Wednesday after their boat sank in the Mediterranean off the north of Cyprus, local security forces said. The boat was carrying 150 people, reportedly Syrians, when it went down off the coast of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot-controlled portion of the island, which is only recognised by Ankara. More than 100 people were rescued in a joint operation by Turkish Cypriot and Turkish coastguards after the boat sank off the village of Gialousa (Yeni Erenkoy in Turkish) on the panhandle Karpas peninsula. At least 19 drowned and between 25 and 30 were still missing, the Turkish Cypriot security forces (GKK) said in a statement. One was taken by helicopter to Cyprus, the GKK said. The other survivors were, however, being taken by ship to the port of Tasucu in Turkey’s southern Mersin region. Search efforts Search efforts were under way to recover the missing with commercial vessels also taking part, reports said. The Turkish co...
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