Almost 300 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, are refusing to disembark from a cruise ship that rescued them off the coast of Cyprus, officials say.
Salamis Cruise Lines Managing Director Kikis Vassiliou said they were insisting they be taken to Italy. The cruise ship, Salamis Filoxenia, is in the port of Limassol and all those rescued are said to be in good health. The Cypriot defence ministry said 52 children were on the small fishing boat that had sent a distress signal.
Of the 345 migrants plucked from the sea about 65 willingly left the ship at Limassol and were taken by bus to the Kokkinotrimithia camp not far from Nicosia. Negotiations with those refusing to leave were continuing on Friday morning with doctors, nurses, civil defence and Red Cross workers on hand.
