Cyprus deters migrant boat from approaching shore

Cypriot authorities deterred a group of migrants on a boat from entering the eastern Mediterranean island, Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Quoting police sources, CNA said a boat with about 10 people on board was intercepted about eight nautical miles off the southeastern coast of Cyprus as they tried to reach the shore.

Two marine police patrol boats were dispatched to the region where the migrant boat was sailing. After several hours, the boat was reportedly sailing towards the shores of the Turkish Cypriot zone in the northern part of the island.

That was the second time Cypriot authorities turned away a migrant boat because of the coronavirus crisis. The first group of more than 100 immigrants was denied entry on March 20 at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

Thursday's interception of migrants came just hours after a group of 15 people from Syria -- 14 men and one woman, all aged between 18 and 30 -- were arrested by the authorities of the British Sovereign Bases in the eastern part of Cyprus.

CNA said the British authorities were cooperating with Cypriot police to get information as to how the migrants arrived and from where they crossed.

CNA reported that the migrants will eventually be handed to the Cypriot authorities.