Lebanese Army: 21 people rescued after malfunction of illegal immigration boat off Tripoli

Beirut, Sept 8 (KUNA) -- The Lebanese Army announced on Tuesday that the naval forces had rescued 21 people during a search and rescue operation for a boat that suffered a breakdown off the coast of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, while the individuals were attempting to smuggle themselves illegally. In a statement, the army said the operation was carried out with the participation of the air force, in coordination with the Civil Defense, the Lebanese Red Cross, and civil society organizations, emphasizing that search and rescue efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining passengers. Meanwhile, the Lebanese General Directorate of Civil Defense stated in a separate statement that members of the Maritime Rescue Unit, in cooperation with the naval and air forces, the Naval Commandos Brigade, and several fishermen, carried out a rescue operation involving 22 people aboard the boat off the coast of Tripoli. The Civil Defense statement noted that four people wearing life jackets and one other person were rescued from the sea, while 17 others managed to reach a nearby island, adding that search and rescue operations continued off the region’s coasts. (End) F.Z. / M.A.A.