The death toll from the sinking of a boat of migrants from Lebanon , whose bodies were found off the Syrian coast, rises to 81 dead . This is what the Lebanese media reported, citing sources from the Beirut government.
The first discovery of 15 bodies took place yesterday afternoon off the coast of Tartus , in Syria , not far from the border with Lebanon. According to sources, the victims include women and children.
As confirmed by the outgoing Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamiye, the rescue operations , which lasted all night, continue in these hours . The Syrian and Lebanese authorities are in close contact to try to rescue the survivors and recover other bodies.
Last April, more than 30 people, including women and children, drowned just off the north coast of Lebanon: their boat was rammed by a Lebanese coast guard patrol boat.
(Unioneonline / vl)
