“The boat left from Minyeh in north Lebanon days ago. Those on board have held several nationalities. Search operations were ongoing in difficult conditions due to rough seas and high winds,” Syrian state media reported.

Syrian Health Ministry said that at least 34 people died in the incident, and 20 survivors are being treated at the Al-Basel Hospital in Tartus.

Most of the migrants are Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrians, and some without identification papers, according to local sources. (ILKHA)