A total of 26 irregular migrants were safely brought ashore by police after being spotted off the coast of Ayia Napa on a small boat on Monday morning.

Aboard the boat were 15 men, two women, and nine children, of whom two are unaccompanied.

The boat was spotted at around 7:10am off the coast of Makronissos beach. After the 26 were brought ashore, their details were recorded, and they were transported to the Menoyia detention centre.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man who is suspected of having captained the boat. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.