Seven Dead, Two Rescued After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Cyprus

A tragic incident off the southeastern coast of Cyprus resulted in the recovery of seven bodies and the rescue of two survivors after a migrant boat capsized. The boat, which reportedly carried around 21 Syrian migrants, is believed to have set off from Tartous, Syria, and had been missing for four days before being discovered. The Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) coordinated an extensive search operation involving military and police vessels, helicopters, and drones. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate additional missing individuals, as the incident marks a significant rise in migrant crossings from Syria amid ongoing instability. This event underscores the increased migration activity in the region following the recent changes in Syria's political landscape. The EU border protection agency Frontex has noted a rise in irregular border crossings in the eastern Mediterranean despite a broader decline across the bloc.