The Lebanese government declared tomorrow [Monday, April 25, 2022] an official day of mourning for the victims of the boat that sank last night off Tripoli’s shores.
The Lebanese Army Command – Orientation Directorate issued the following statement on Sunday:
“On April 23, 2022, the Naval Forces of the Army managed to rescue 48 people , including a little dead girl, who were on board a boat that sank while trying to smuggle them illegally off Qalamoun’s coast .The boat sank as a result of water leakage due to the high waves and the boat’s overload.
The Navy units worked with the support of Air Force helicopters and a Cessna plane to tow the boat and rescue most of those on board, as it provided them with first aid and transported the injured to hospitals in the area, while the forces continue their operations by land, sea and air to rescue others who are still missing.
A citizen was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the smuggling operation, as investigations began into the incident under the supervision of the concerned judiciary.”
Basma Qaddour