Extraordinary meeting at the Ministry
of Interior on the reception
of a great number of foreign citizens
following the rescue operation
A large-scale extraordinary official
meeting was held today at the Ministry of Interior, chaired by the Deputy
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Mr Constantinos Nicolaides, with
the participation of the competent departments and bodies of the Republic, on
the implementation of a plan regarding the reception and hospitality of foreign
citizens, who were onboard a boat off the coast of Cyprus, which sent a radio
distress signal.
A Cypriot cruise ship responded to the
distress signal.
Hundreds of passengers were onboard,
including many women and children.
In the meeting, all the issues
regarding the responsibilities and the duties of each department were put on the
table, in relation with the above-mentioned plan.
The reception of the rescued is
expected to take place at Limassol Port and they will be transferred by bus in a
designated hospitality area in Kokkinotrimithia, in Nicosia (Pournara Camp),
following the conduction of health control and blood sampling.
The Republic’s authorities took all the
appropriate measures for the protection of the staff that will participate in
the procedures of reception, transfer and accommodation, as well as for the
rescued themselves, in terms of health and provision of necessary medical care
or any extra care.
The Ministry of Interior remains ready
and closely monitors the development of the operation, as well as the excellent
response of its competent departments (Civil Defense, Asylum Department, Civil
Registry and Migration Department, Service for the Displaced Persons) in the
implementation of the action plan.
The Minister of Interior Mr Socratis
Hasikos, who is currently abroad, is kept informed regarding the
developments.
