NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - Cypriot police say 17 Syrian migrants who set sail from Lebanon aboard a small craft have declared that they intend to apply for asylum on the east Mediterranean island nation.
Police said Tuesday a patrol boat rescued the migrants - including five children - after authorities located their craft some 77 kilometers (42 miles) off the island’s southeastern tip.
Police said the migrants told authorities that they departed from a Lebanese harbor on Oct. 29 after each paying 1,000 euros ($1,140) to an individual who provided them with the craft.
People were interested in these podcasts
The migrants said their intended destination was Cyprus. Police said all are well and are currently hosted at a migrant reception center on the outskirts of the capital, Nicosia.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.