Migrant boat captain remanded for six days

A 44-year-old man accused of having captained a boat which brought 22 irregular migrants to Cyprus was remanded in custody for six days on Saturday.

The boat was intercepted off the coast of Cape Greco on Friday and was brought ashore at the Golden Coast fishing shelter in Protaras. On board were 15 men, three women, and four unaccompanied minors.

The police’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Over 800 irregular migrants have made landfall in Cyprus in the last week, having set sail from Lebanon amid warmer weather and calmer seas.

With Cyprus’ migrant housing facilities now stretched to their limits, the government revealed that army camps in the Nicosia district may be used to house them if flows are not stemmed.

Currently, over 1,300 people are at the Pournara reception centre. Authorities fear that if more migrants arrive, space in the facility may become too tight.