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345 people rescued from boat stranded off Cyprus

A ship that rescued 345 refugees from a boat stranded off Cyprus arrived at the port of Limassol on Thursday.Petros Karadjias/Associated Press

LIMASSOL, Cyprus — A cruise ship rescued more than 300 people, apparently refugees who fled Syria, who were stranded Thursday aboard a small boat off Cyprus.

Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou said Cyprus will host the people until authorities determine what will happen to them according to international laws and regulations.

The Cypriot Defense Ministry said the 345 people, including 52 children, will be taken to a reception center near the capital Nicosia where they will be given shelter and medical attention. The ship docked Thursday at the east Mediterranean island’s main Limassol port.

Salamis Cruise Lines managing director Kikis Vasiliou said that one of its cruise ships was instructed to change course and pick up the people packed aboard the smaller vessel.

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The Defense Ministry said the boat issued a distress call early Thursday amid bad weather and had ‘‘most likely’’ set sail from Syria loaded with ‘‘civilian refugees.’’

The Defense Ministry said the small boat was stranded about 50 nautical miles off Cyprus’s southwestern coastal town of Paphos.

Associated Press