Cyprus rescues at least 477 migrants from boats in distress
NICOSIA, Sept 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cypriot rescuers saved at least 477 irregular migrants in two separate operations in unfavorable sea conditions in the past 24 hours, the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) said.
It said that in one operation, the JRCC responded to a distress call for an 18-meter boat with more than 300 people on board, which was drifting about 110 nautical miles off the west coast of Cyprus.
A JRCC spokesman said that the call was received by JRCC’s Larnaca headquarters at 7 p.m. local time on Monday. The boat was experiencing engine trouble.