Police arrest 13 after 761 migrants arrive in Cyprus in four days
Immigration authorities in Famagusta and Larnaca arrested 13 people suspected of facilitating illegal entry into the Republic after 761 Syrian nationals arrived on the island aboard 13 vessels. The alleged navigators of the boats, all reportedly Syrian nationals, are in custody. Radar detected three new boats on Tuesday evening, with one carrying 27 people intercepted southeast of Cape Greco, another dinghy with 236 migrants found overloaded, and a third carrying 22 individuals directed to a fishing shelter. Several individuals involved in these incidents have been arrested, with the Interior Minister warning that Cyprus may not be able to cope with increased migration flows. Cyprus is demanding practical solidarity from other EU member states in dealing with the situation.