Police on Thursday arrested a 23-year-old boat operator after a vessel transporting 21 irregular migrants arrived on the Famagusta coast.

According to police, the 6m long vessel was detected on the coastal authorities’ radar southeast of Cape Greco and ran aground outside the Ayia Napa marina.

The boat was carrying 21 migrants, of which 13 were men, two women, three children and three unaccompanied minors.

Police obtained testimony against the 23-year-old, alleged to be the boat’s navigator, as a result of which he was arrested for further investigation.

The remaining migrants were transferred to the Pournara reception centre.