Lebanese Army Rescues 21 People from Illegal Immigration Vessel Off Tripoli

The Lebanese Army announced on Tuesday that 21 people were rescued during a search and rescue operation for a vessel that suffered a breakdown off the coast of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, while its passengers 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 associations, emphasizing that search and rescue efforts would continue to reach the remaining passengers.

In a separate statement, the Lebanese General Directorate of Civil Defense clarified that members of the Maritime Rescue Unit, in cooperation with the Navy and Air Force, the Naval Commando Battalion, and several fishermen, carried out a rescue operation that saved 22 people aboard the vessel off the coast of Tripoli.

It added that four people wearing life jackets and one other person were rescued from the sea, while 17 others managed to reach a nearby island, noting that search and rescue operations would continue off the region’s coasts.