Man remanded over boatload of migrants

A 27-year-old man was remanded on Tuesday to facilitate investigations after the arrival of a boat with 20 migrants off the coast of Famagusta.

The boat was initially detected by coast guard radars around 8.35 on Monday evening.

After about an hour, the coast guard intercepted the boat and safely transported its passengers to Paralimni fishing shelter.

Of the boat’s 20 passengers, 11 were men, two women and seven minors, the announcement said, adding that “they departed from Syria after paying $2,000 each”.

Police obtained testimony saying a 27-year-old man had been the captain of the boat, and he was arrested on Tuesday.

The rest of the boat’s passengers were taken to Pournara migrant reception centre in Kokkinotrimithia.