Child drowns as boat carrying Syrian refugees sinks off Lebanon coast

A child has drowned after a boat carrying approximately 36 Syrian refugees sank off the coast on Lebanon.

The boat was ferrying refugees illegally to Cyprus, a journey of around 110 miles, when it foundered off the coast of northern Lebanon.

Most people on board were rescued by the Lebanese army, however three or more are believed to be in serious condition in hospital.

Lebanon is currently hosting approximately 1 million registered refugees who have fled Syria’s civil war, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

The Lebanese government states that the figure is close to around 1.5 million.

Earlier this month, the Cyprian government raised the alarm over the number of migrants recently reaching its shores.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, the interior minister said “As an EU member-state, Cyprus respects its obligations, but on the other hand Cyprus has reached its limits with regard to the number of migrants it can absorb.”

Cyprus is currently hosting approximately 10,000 refugees.