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Lebanon thwarts illegal immigration attempt to Europe

Xinhua, October 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Lebanese navy on Wednesday thwarted an attempt to illegally smuggle a number of illegal immigrants from Lebanon to Europe, according to the military.

"Fifty-three people were arrested off the coast of the northern city of Tripoli as they attempted to illegally depart the country," the army said.

It added that "the detainees included eight Lebanese, 28 Palestinians, and 14 Syrians. The migrants were brought back to shore and investigations are underway."

Last week, seven Lebanese were drown when their migrant boat sank on the way to Greece. The bodies of them were returned to Lebanon on Wednesday.

Hundreds of thousands refugees, mostly Syrians and Palestinians, have attempted to illegally migrate to Europe through Lebanon's northern port of Tripoli.

Thousands of people have died due to boats accidents on their way to Europe. Lebanese security forces have intensified operations to stop the migrants and those operating the illegal boats. Endit