Migrant boat turned away, given supplies

Police said on Friday that a boat with migrants was refused landing while 19 other Syrian refugees were picked up in Peristerona later in the day.

A boat with approximately 25 migrants was spotted off Akamas late on Thursday.

Marine police provided assistance including food, water, fuel and medical treatment to some of the passengers, who appeared to have had sailed from Turkey.

Police confirmed that the boat was refused entry to the Republic.

No information was available on whether the boat included women and minors.

Paphos police sources insisted the boat was sailing in international waters and voluntarily sailed towards the north explaining why the force did not assist them to Latchi harbour.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a country’s territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from its coast.

Later on Friday, 19 male migrants were found walking around in Peristerona.

They will undergo a rapid coronavirus test prior to their transportation to Pournara camp in Kokkinotrimithia.