BEIRUT, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's security forces thwarted on Wednesday the smuggling of 24 Syrian refugees by sea to Cyprus, local media reported.
Lebanese forces arrested a boat 15 miles (about 24.1 km) away from Amchit's shore, while it was trying to escape to Cyprus in an illegal way, according to Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.
The arrested refugees were referred to judiciary bodies for investigations.
More than 1 million Syrian refugees are registered with the United States High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, while the Lebanese government estimated the true number of Syrians in the country at 1.5 million.
A big number of Syrians residing in Lebanon are suffering from dire financial circumstances, prompting them to try and escape to other countries seeking better living conditions.
Cyprus has become the destination of maritime smuggling from Lebanon for Syrian refugees to move to other European countries.
