Members of the Coastal and Maritime Police picked up 16 illegal immigrants yesterday afternoon and transported them safely to the fishing shelter of Paralimni.
The inflatable boat with 16 people on board was spotted about 11 nautical miles east of Cape Greco.
During the escorting of the irregular migrants by the members of the Port and Maritime Police, the engine of their boat stopped working while at the same time taking on water.
All those on the boat made it safely to Akato in Limeniki, but their boat eventually sank after it appeared to have undergone conversions and its balloons were worn and nearly deflated.
All irregular migrants were brought safely ashore and then taken to the Pournara Reception Centre.
From the tests carried out, testimonies emerged against two persons aged 45 and 46 (drivers of the boat), who were arrested, to facilitate the investigations.
TAE Famagusta continues the exams.