View source for 2022 Tartus migrant shipwreck

{{Short description|September 2022 shipwreck off the Syrian coast}}
{{Update|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2022 Tartus migrant shipwreck
| image = ISS014-E-6696 - View of Syria.jpg
| caption = Tartus coastland, Syria
| location = Off the coast of [[Tartus]], [[Syria]]
| target = Migrants from Syria, [[Lebanon]] and [[Palestinian territories|Palestine]]
| date = 22 September 2022
| time =
| timezone =
| type = [[Shipwreck]]
| fatalities = About 150
| injuries = 20
| perps =
| weapons =
| numparts =
| motive =
| affected =
| venue =
| coordinates =
}}
On 22 September, 2022, a ship carrying migrants escaping [[Lebanon]] sank off the coast of [[Tartus]], [[Syria]]. The victims, intending to escape the [[Lebanese liquidity crisis]], are estimated to number around 150 people, hailing from [[Syria]], Lebanon, and [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2022-09-27 |title=Shocking Syrian shipwreck sheds harsh light on flow of migration from Lebanon |language=en |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/09/27/terrible-shipwreck-off-the-coast-of-tartus-sheds-harsh-light-on-flow-of-migration-from-lebanon_5998295_4.html |access-date=2022-10-31}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-01 |title=More bodies from Tartus shipwreck arrive in Lebanon |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1313298/more-bodies-from-tartus-shipwreck-arrive-in-lebanon.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=L'Orient Today}}</ref> It is possibly one of the deadliest shipwrecks in the eastern [[Mediterranean]] in recent years.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Death toll of Lebanon shipwreck off Syria coast rises to 100 |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/rises-syria-lebanon-shipwreck-deathtoll-rises |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref>

== Incident ==
The ship departed on 20 September from [[Miniyeh]], near [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]], on the northern coast of Lebanon, carrying around 170 people. Mostly [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]], [[Palestinians in Lebanon|Palestinians]] and [[Syrians in Lebanon|Syrians]] trying to escape the [[poverty]] created by the [[Lebanese liquidity crisis]]. The intended destination of the ship was [[Italy]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-26 |title=Palestinian refugees risk everything to escape Lebanon |url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/features/palestinian-refugees-risk-everything-escape-lebanon |access-date=2022-10-31 |website= |language=en |agency=The New Arab}}</ref> The boat sank off the coast of Tartus, about 50 km north of Tripoli, its starting point.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-24 |title=More than 90 dead in Lebanon migrant shipwreck off Syria |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20220924-more-than-80-dead-in-lebanon-migrant-shipwreck-off-syria |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> According to [[eyewitness testimony|eyewitnesses]] the boat was carrying many more people than it was supposed to hold; bad weather and large waves also contributed to the disaster. Survivors had to swim for hours to reach rescue vessels.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Homsi |first=Nada |date=2022-10-17 |title='A lovely little trip': Economic desperation drives Lebanon residents to tragedy at sea |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/lebanon/2022/10/17/a-lovely-little-trip-economic-desperation-drives-lebanon-residents-to-tragedy/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-28 |title='I heard him calling for me': Survivor's account of capsized boat in Mediterranean |url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/43645/i-heard-him-calling-for-me-survivors-account-of-capsized-boat-in-mediterranean |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=InfoMigrants |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Ministry of Transport (Syria)|Syrian Ministry of Transport]] said that most of the victims and survivors were found near [[Arwad]] island.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Makieh |first=Kinda |last2=Bassam |first2=Laila |date=2022-09-22 |title=More than 30 migrants dead, more than a dozen rescued in Syrian waters |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/15-dead-8-rescued-boat-syrian-waters-pro-government-newspaper-2022-09-22/ |access-date=2022-11-11}}</ref> The Syrian [[coastguard]] and [[rescue worker]]s, including a [[Russia]]n [[Search and rescue|search party]],<ref name=":6" /> was able to save 21 people, 30 people remain missing, 20 injured victims as well as bodies were taken to Al-Basel Hospital in Tartus.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> [[Rescue]] operations were halted overnight due to the weather conditions, including high waves.<ref name=":7" /> [[UNICEF]] reported that at least 10 children were among the victims;<ref name=":4" /> later the number was stated as 24.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-26 |title=Lebanese demand answers after devastating tragedy at sea kills nearly 100 |url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/43591/lebanese-demand-answers-after-devastating-tragedy-at-sea-kills-nearly-100 |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=InfoMigrants |language=en}}</ref> Out of 34 women only 1 survived.<ref name=":6" /> According to [[Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Lebanon)|Lebanon’s transport minister]], Ali Hamie, the survivors included 12 [[Syrians]], 5 Lebanese and 3 [[Palestinians]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-24 |title=Scores dead in worst sinking of migrant boat from Lebanon in recent years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/23/scores-dead-in-worst-sinking-of-migrant-boat-from-lebanon-in-recent-years |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

[[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|UNHCR]] provided material support to survivors in Tarsus.<ref name=":2" /> In the following days the [[Syrian Arab Red Crescent|Syrian Red Crescent]] transported the bodies of Lebanese and Palestinian victims to the [[Arida Border Crossing|Arida border crossing]] where they were received by the [[Lebanese Red Cross]].<ref name=":1" /> The boat was carrying 39 Palestinians, 35 from [[Nahr al-Bared refugee camp]] and 4 from [[Shatila refugee camp]] in Lebanon.<ref name=":5" /> The majority of the victims were Syrians from [[Idlib]], [[Aleppo]] and [[Latakia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-24 |title=Death toll continue to rise in Lebanon migrant shipwreck off Syria |url=https://arab.news/r7s4f |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Lebanese Army]] arrested an individual believed to be related to the [[smuggling]].<ref name=":5" /> Funerals for the deceased were held in Tripoli.<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Heart-wrenching’: Toll from Lebanon boat tragedy rises to 94 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/24/death-toll-from-lebanon-migrant-shipwreck-rises-to-89 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><!-- What happened to him? Was anyone prosecuted? -->

== Background ==
The [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] said the number of [[Mediterranean Sea migrant smuggling|migrants attempting the dangerous journey]] from Lebanon to Europe more than doubled in 2022 for the second year in a row, while the primary destination for the [[people smuggling|smuggler boats]] had shifted from [[Cyprus]] to Italy. The main reason behind the increase is the worsening [[economy of Lebanon|Lebanese economic crisis]] and a [[unemployment|lack of jobs]]. The majority of people fleeing from Lebanon are [[Syrian refugees in Lebanon|Syrian refugees]] while Lebanese and [[Palestinian refugees]] in Lebanon are in smaller numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-21 |title=The new routes and rising numbers of would-be migrants leaving Lebanon |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1312253/the-new-routes-and-rising-numbers-of-would-be-migrants-leaving-lebanon.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=L'Orient Today}}</ref> Additionally UNICEF reported that "years of political instability and economic crisis in Lebanon have pushed many children and families into poverty".<ref name=":4" /> The economic situation in the north of Lebanon is more acute with common water and [[power cut]]s.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" />

== Reactions ==
* In a joint statement [[International Organization for Migration]], UNHCR, and [[UNRWA]] have "called on coastal states to increase efforts to build their capacity to provide search and rescue services and to work to ensure predictability in identifying safe places of disembarkation. However, it is even more critical that action be taken to address the root causes of these movements and for the international community, in line with the principle of responsibility-sharing, to strengthen access to safer, alternative pathways to stop people resorting to dangerous journeys. Much more humanitarian and development support must also go to those displaced and host communities throughout the region to help stem their suffering and improve their living conditions and opportunities. Failing this, refugees, asylum-seekers, migrants, and internally displaced people will continue to take dangerous journeys in search of safety, protection, and a better life."<ref name=":2" />
* [[Filippo Grandi]], [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|UNHCR]]: “This is yet another heart-wrenching tragedy and we extend our deepest condolences to all those impacted. We call for full solidarity from the international community to help improve the conditions of forcibly displaced people and host communities in the Middle East, particularly in countries neighboring Syria. Too many people are being pushed to the brink.”<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Refugees |first=United Nations High Commissioner for |title=IOM, UNHCR, and UNRWA: Latest tragedy at sea off Syria must prompt action |url=https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2022/9/632df83f4/iom-unhcr-unrwa-latest-tragedy-sea-syria-must-prompt-action.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=UNHCR |language=en}}</ref>
* [[António Vitorino]], [[International Organization for Migration|IOM]] [[Director General]]: “People looking for safety should not be compelled to take such perilous and often deadly migration journeys. We must work together to increase safe and legal pathways to regular migration to help reduce loss of life and protect vulnerable people on the move."<ref name=":2" />
* [[Philippe Lazzarini]], UNRWA [[Commissioner-General]]: “This is just tragic. No one gets on these death boats lightly. People are taking this perilous decisions, risking their lives in search of dignity. We must do more to offer a better future and address a sense of hopelessness in Lebanon and across the region, including among Palestine refugees.”<ref name=":2" />
* Adele Khodr, [[UNICEF]] Regional Director for the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]]: “UNICEF is deeply saddened by reports that several children are among those who lost their lives when a boat sank off the coast of Tartus, Syria last night, claiming dozens of lives, including children. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families whose lives have been devastated by this tragedy."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=UNICEF deeply saddened by death toll from boat that sank off the coast of Syria coming from Lebanon |url=https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-deeply-saddened-death-toll-boat-sank-coast-syria-coming-lebanon |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of migrant vessel incidents on the Mediterranean Sea]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|Syria}}
{{Portal bar|Crime|Lebanon}}
{{2022 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tartus migrant shipwreck, 2022}}
[[Category:2022 disasters in Syria]]
[[Category:2022 in international relations]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2022]]
[[Category:Migrant boat disasters in the Mediterranean Sea]]
[[Category:September 2022 events in Syria]]
[[Category:Tartus|2022 migrant shipwreck]]
[[Category:Lebanon–Syria relations]]
[[Category:Tartus Governorate in the Syrian civil war]]