On 17 March 2025, a boat coming from Lebanon sank off Cyprus. Many people died, many more remain missing. We mourn the deaths and demand answers on the (in)actions of the responsible authorities in Cyprus.
Estimated position at 12 pm CET on March 15. Photo: Alarm Phone
In the evening of 15 March 2025, the Alarm Phone shift teams received information about a boat in possible distress near Cyprus. Alarm Phone immediately alerted authorities on Cyprus by mail (at 22:11 CET) and by phone (at 23:00 CET). We demanded the launch of a search and rescue operation. The estimated position as outlined in the alert was N34.701° E034.22°, only about 30 kilometers of the well-known tourist destination of Ayia Napa.
We continued calling competent authorities during the night and next day. They said that they are investigating the case and refused to share any details on the situation or their actions. Due to the systematic pushbacks from Cyprus to Lebanon, we feared that maybe a pushback was in the making. But things were about to get even worse. In the afternoon of March 16, JRCC Larnaca claimed that they had “searched the entire area by sea and air and have found nothing”. Throughout the day, we called various authorities in Cyprus and Lebanon to ask about the whereabouts of the group and ongoing search and rescue efforts. However, we did not get any information.
On Monday, 17 March 2025, we learned that the boat sank. According to different sources, the Cypriot Coast Guard rescued two survivors and recovered seven bodies. Many remain missing – there were approximately 23 people on board. So far, we know of two survivors who have since been released from hospital. We have no information about their whereabouts and well-being, nor about the bodies of the dead people, and whether the search for the missing persons continues.
Short distance, but dangerous and deadly
The distance from Lebanon to Cyprus is a relatively short one. But the violent regime of pushbacks and forced returns, which the Cypriot authorities put into practice, turns this short path into a deadly and dangerous route. This shipwreck is another tragic – but preventable – incident, which cost many lives and leaves relatives in deep sadness. We mourn the dead and send our solidarity to the survivors and friends and families of the people on the boat. And we repeat: these deaths were preventable. Until today, many questions that are imminent remain unanswered. We demand clarity!
- Did Cypriot authorities act in a timely and adequate manner to the many distress calls they received? Or was there any delay or even non-assistance towards the boat that sank?
- Which concrete steps did they take between Saturday evening and Monday morning?
- What steps will be taken, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the shipwreck and this loss of lives off the coast of Cyprus?
Many are urgently searching for information about their loved ones who are missing. Once again, as in other situations before that, too, there is insufficient information provided by authorities to relatives and friends.
We demand:
- Information on the procedures for the two survivors who are reportedly held in the Republic of Cyprus
- Access to asylum procedures and appropriate psychosocial support for the two survivors
- Urgent and direct support without administrative and financial burden for relatives and friends searching for missing
- Clear and accessible information from the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Syria for relatives and survivors, where the bodies of the dead are kept and what will happen with them
- Administrative and financial support for families to transport the bodies to their places of choice
For relatives and survivors who are in need for support: we have collected different actors to contact – from authorities to local organizations that stand in solidarity with people on the move and can help with their expertise:
- Lebanese Red Cross, Kantari Spears Street, Beirut – Lebanon, +961 71 910 269, eddy.nasr@redcross.org.lb, alaa.ammar@redcross.org.lb for issuing an official search query for the missing and dead
- FindSuri for support in search for the Syrian survivors, missing and dead
- Cedar Centre for Legal Studies in Tripoli/Lebanon for testimonies and potential legal aid
- KISA in Nicosia/Republic of Cyprus for testimonies and potential legal aid
So far, we only see denial of responsibility and PR-stunts. The newly-formed Syrian coast guard posted photos about looking for people from the shipwreck, who were reportedly all Syrian nationals. On the other hand, Cyprus denies all responsibility and states they have found the people by “coincidence”. We find this very questionable in a zone as heavily monitored as the Mediterranean Sea and after having alerted to a position nearby which they were found 2 days later. The relatives demand accountability for the preventable deaths of their loved ones.
And we demand an end to the violent and deadly regime of migration control put into practice by European states and their partners. This regime forces people to become invisible and to take more dangerous routes.
Death at Sea could be abolished today – it is only a matter of political will!
We demand safe migration passage and freedom of movement for all.
Stop pushbacks, stop non-rescues, and tear down Europe’s borders!
*****
Timeline
Saturday, 15th of March, 2025
After Alarm Phone receives information about a boat in possible distress near Cyprus, it immediately alerts authorities.
Authorities informed via email at 22:11 CET, on March 15, 2025: info@jrcc.org.cy, rescuecy@gmail.com limmarine@police.gov.cy, sbaa-customsoffcgpmailbox@mod.gov.uk, cypni@unhcr.org liacovides@asylum.moi.gov.cy info@asylum.moi.gov.cy info@asylum.moi.gov.cy
Estimated position: N34.701° E034.22° at 12PM CET. This position was not received directly by the people in distress neither by a relative. We attempted to estimate it based on other information provided by relatives.
Source: Alarm Phone
Alarm Phone called JRCC Larnaca 0035724643005 at 23:00 CET on March 15, 2025
23:29: Call to JRCC Larnaca. They claim to be still investigating the case and don’t share further information.
Throughout the night: trying to call the people in distress repeatedly, without success.
Sunday, 16th of March, 2025
01:55: We call JRCC Larnaca. The officer receiving the call says they have no news and claims again that they are “still investigating”.
09:00: We tweet about the case:
🆘️ from ~23 people in distress on their way to #Cyprus!
Yesterday evening, relatives sent us the last known position of the group. We could never reach the people in distress since. pic.twitter.com/5CmqfWznn2
— @alarmphone (@alarm_phone) March 16, 2025
In the meantime, we try to reach the people repeatedly, without success.
15:01: We call JRCC Larnaca. They say they have “searched the entire area by sea and air and have found nothing”.
During the afternoon, we try to reach the people by phone repeatedly, without success. We also continue calling different authorities in Cyprus, Lebanon and Northern Cyprus.
Monday, 17th of March, 2025
We call the people on the boat various times, without success.
We tweet again:
We have not been able to reach the people in distress anymore. Neither the #Lebanese nor the #Cypriot authorities are providing us with any information. We are worried! Where are they?
— @alarmphone (@alarm_phone) March 17, 2025
Then, throughout the day, media reports that a boat has shipwrecked start to come in. Still, Cypriot authorities refuse to share any information during multiple attempts to call them.
*****
Some media coverage (incomplete overview)
17 March 2025
https://www.alphanews.live/cyprus/navagio-sto-kavo-gkreko-eiche-dothei-sima-gia-agnooumeni-varka-syron-metanaston/
https://www.patris.gr/ellada/navagio-stin-kipro-vithistike-varka-anoixta-tou-kavo-gkreko-treis-nekroi-kai-polloi-agnooumenoi/
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-cape-greco-boat-sinking-rescue-operation-continues/
https://www.topontiki.gr/2025/03/17/kipros-navagio-me-7-nekrous-ke-17-agnooumenous-apo-ti-siria/
https://www.alphanews.live/cyprus/alarm-phone-idio-to-teleftaio-stigma-tis-varkas-me-ton-topo-tou-navagiou/
18 March 2025
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/op-ed-throwing-migrants-into-the-sea-instead-of-the-mehmetcik/
https://afoa.cy/ti-kryvei-kyvernisi-gia-navagio-cavo-greco/
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-opposition-demands-investigation-migrant-boat-tragedy/
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-cape-greco-shipwreck-search-missing-migrants/
https://reporter.com.cy/article/2025/3/18/826929/akarpes-oi-olonukhties-ereunes-gia-entopismo-agnooumenon-sto-polunekro-nauagio-meionontai-oi-elpides/
https://www.alphanews.live/cyprus/machi-me-to-chrono-sto-ksed-akarpes-oi-olonychties-erevnes-gia-epizontes-tou-navagiou/
https://www.alphanews.live/cyprus/i-neoteri-anakoinosi-tou-ksed-gia-to-polynekro-navagio-st-anoichta-tis-kyprou/
https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/180320253
19 March 2025
