Tragedy in the Mediterranean: Syrians Drown off Cyprus with 7 Victims
This tragedy highlights the ongoing suffering of Syrians in coastal areas and emphasizes the urgent need for radical solutions that provide security, stability, and dignity for citizens across all Syr
March 18, 2025, 9:52 pm

Tragedy in the Mediterranean: Syrians Drown off Cyprus with 7 Victims

مهاجرون \ تعبيرية

Cypriot media revealed a new tragedy in the Mediterranean after a migrant boat that left the Syrian coast of Tartus with about 20 people on board capsized, resulting in the death of at least seven people in the Cypriot search and rescue zone.

Cypriot authorities reported rescuing only two people and recovering seven bodies, indicating that search operations are continuing for any other survivors or victims in an incident that reflects the ongoing suffering of Syrians seeking a better life.

The Deputy Commander of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, Admiral George Economou, stated today, Tuesday: "The search for the missing continued throughout the night with continuous intensity in a massive operation," explaining that "our main concern is to find more survivors, after the two we found yesterday (Monday) and the recovery of seven bodies of men."

Economou indicated that "the bodies were transferred to the morgue of Limassol General Hospital, while the two survivors are receiving treatment at Larnaca and Famagusta General Hospitals, as they are in a state of distress, dehydration, and hypothermia," adding that "time is not on our side."

Several naval helicopters and police patrol boats are participating in the extensive search operation, as the incident occurred 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Cape Greco, at the southeastern tip of the island.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Center confirmed that the incident occurred within Cyprus's search and rescue responsibility area, but outside its territorial waters, while the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported that one of the survivors informed authorities that about 20 passengers were on board the boat, indicating that they were Syrians who departed from the port of Tartus in Syria.

In recent years, Cyprus has witnessed an increase in the number of irregular arrivals by boats departing from the coasts of Syria and Libya, mostly Syrians in addition to Lebanese and Palestinians, as the island is located less than 200 kilometers from the Syrian and Lebanese coasts.

The continuing phenomenon of Syrian migration by sea is an indicator of the ongoing difficult living and security conditions in their areas, especially in light of the tensions and successive events witnessed in the coastal region targeting Alawites and pushing many of them to seek safety for themselves despite the high risks associated with these sea journeys.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”