Authorities in Cyprus have reported that they have retrieved at least 7 bodies after a boat carrying refugees capsized 30 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco.
Two people were rescued on Monday, there is still an unspecified number of people believed to be missing.
Cyprus Defense Minister, Vasilis Palmas said on Tuesday that it was becoming “increasingly unlikely” that more survivors would be found.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, one survivor told authorities that there were approximately 20 Syrians on board who had departed from the port of Tartus, the scene of recent heavy violence.
The Cyprus Joint Rescue and Coordination Center said boats and aircrafts were deployed as a part of the rescue operation.
With Cyprus being less than 200 km from the Syrian and Lebanese coasts it has long been a route for refugees seeking asylum in Europe.
The Missing Migrants Project has recorded approximately 31,511 migrants missing in the Mediterranean sea since 2014. With about 2,629 having gone missing in the eastern Mediterranean. The actual figures are likely to be higher.