Migrant boat sinks off Lebanese coast

A child died and 45 people were rescued on Saturday after the sinking of a boat carrying around 60 migrants off Lebanon, where deadly crossings have multiplied due to an unprecedented economic crisis.

(illustrative image) AFP PHOTO / MSF / MARTA SOSZYNSKA

Text by: RFI Follow

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A boat carrying around 60 people was shipwrecked this Saturday off the Lebanese coast.

An illegal boat, with families of exiles on board who were probably trying to reach Europe.

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With our correspondent in Tripoli,

Noé Pignède

Lebanon is sinking inexorably into poverty.

So more and more people are trying to flee the country.

Many boats set sail each year with migrants seeking a better future in Europe.

The island of Cyprus is only 200 km from the Lebanese coast. 

The route between Lebanon and Cyprus is deemed to be rather safe by Lebanese smuggling networks.

Only a few hours by boat on a makeshift boat to be able to apply for asylum in the European Union.

Shipwrecks are rare: 1,600 migrants attempted the crossing last year according to the United Nations.

Many Syrian refugees but also Lebanese, more and more numerous are taking the risk of taking this route, pushed by the economic crisis which is ravaging Lebanon.

The inhabitants sink into misery.

More than 80% now live below the poverty line.

A situation aggravated by the inaction of the political class.

Despite the requests of the international community for 2 years, no reform has been initiated.

Desperate, the inhabitants of Lebanon are therefore looking for a better future on the European continent, which they are trying to reach at the risk of their lives.

This Saturday, 45 people out of the 60 who had embarked were saved by the Lebanese army, according to the management of the port of Tripoli.

The soldiers say they have recovered the lifeless body of a one-and-a-half-year-old girl who died of drowning.

Research is continuing.

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  • Lebanon

  • International Migrations