Cyprus recovers seven bodies after migrant boat capsizes

The bodies of at least seven people were recovered off Cyprus on Monday after authorities mounted a search and rescue operation following the capsize of a boat carrying migrants, Cyprus's state broadcaster said.

An unspecified number of individuals were believed to be missing, while two people were recovered alive from international waters about 30 nautical miles (55.5 km) south-east of the island, the broadcaster said.

Other reports said the vessel, located around midday on Monday, was thought to have set off from Tartous in Syria with 20 or 21 people on board.

Cyprus's search and rescue coordination centre said assets were in the region coordinating a rescue operation, without mentioning casualties.

The island, an EU member state, lies about 100 nautical miles west of Lebanon and Syria.