Thousands of people in danger at sea have been rescued by the Cyprus government, deputy migration minister Nicholas Ioannides said on Saturday.

“We intend to continue to carry out our duties and responsibilities effectively in the search and rescue area of the Republic of Cyprus, which is very large, so as to save human lives that would otherwise be at risk,” he said at an experiential shipwreck and sea rescue simulation exercise at Kato Pyrgos Tillyria harbour.

“As is well known,” he said, “in recent years, migrants have embarked on dangerous journeys, often in unseaworthy boats, as smugglers use increasingly risky methods, endangering thousands of human lives. Therefore, Mediterranean states bear the main burden of rescue operations, reception and subsequent hosting of migrants.”

The Kato Pyrgos simulation, which saw people rescued from sea, demonstrated “the seriousness with which the Republic of Cyprus approaches search and rescue operations”, he said, adding that it aims to share its “know-how and experience” with other countries.

He said the island’s rescue services “provide high-quality search and rescue services, support humanitarian operations and effectively manage humanitarian crises”.

Speaking on behalf of President Nikos Christodoulides, he said Cyprus has in recent years successfully managed hundreds of search and rescue incidents and has rescued thousands of people.

He added that over the past two decades, all the services involved in the search and rescue system have achieved a remarkable upgrade in their capabilities.

He described Cyprus as “a well-organised strategic hub, providing search and rescue services and supporting humanitarian operations in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

Tillyria community leader Nicos Kleanthous said people of the area have in the past participated and helped in many rescues of people arriving by boat.

Director of the ambulance service Riana Constantinou said it is very difficult for them to have to rescue people in the sea, people who are frozen, tired and hungry.

However, opposition parties and NGOs recently criticised the government for its handling of a shipwreck off Cape Greco in March, which claimed at least seven lives, accusing it of a policy of pushbacks.

The UNHCR Cyprus has since recognised the incident as a pushback, noting that “the boats were reportedly pushed back by Cypriot authorities”.