Over the weekend, Cyprus conducted extensive rescue operations, aided by the coast guard and fishing boats, resulting in the successful retrieval of more than 500 migrants, as reported by the Cyprus Times on Monday. By Tuesday, local newspapers indicated the tally exceeded 500 individuals.
According to the English edition of the Greek-language newspaper Kathimerini on Tuesday (April 2), over 500 migrants reached Cyprus within the last 48 hours. Among these arrivals, two boats carrying 68 migrants arrived overnight between Monday and Tuesday, with the majority originating from Syria.
The first vessel, discovered just past midnight, contained 25 men, five women, six children, and seven unaccompanied minors. Another boat intercepted around 2:30 a.m. carried 25 people, including 16 men, one woman, two children, and six unaccompanied minors. Both boats are believed to have departed from Lebanon before being spotted off the Cape Greco area.
The influx continued, with the Cyprus Coast Guard reporting the arrival of 120 migrants on two small boats off the east coast on Sunday (March 31). Later that day, three additional boats, one carrying 179 people, were reported.
On Monday (April 1), three more vessels were detected, carrying around 137 migrants. Subsequently, the migrants were taken to reception centers west of Nicosia, where authorities detained four individuals suspected of smuggling.
Despite Cyprus receiving fewer migrants overall, the number of Syrian nationals has surged recently, prompting concerns. In response, the Cypriot government has intensified calls for EU assistance, including increased Frontex patrols along the southeastern maritime border.
Moreover, Cyprus has advocated for EU collaboration in addressing migration challenges, including proposals for establishing safe zones in Syria to facilitate refugee repatriation. The government has also established a special unit to combat people smuggling rings responsible for bringing migrants to Cyprus.
The situation has led President Christodoulides to convene an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to discuss potential measures to stem the migrant flow. According to government spokesperson Konstantino Letymbiotis, with Cyprus experiencing significant strain due to the large influx, solidarity at the EU level becomes imperative. Cooperation with Lebanese authorities is also sought to mitigate the heightened migration flows observed in recent days.