Nicosia, March 19 -- Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas stated on Tuesday that the chances of finding more survivors from a refugee boat that capsised off the island's southeastern coast are "increasingly unlikely."
The vessel, carrying an estimated 20 to 25 people, overturned in the Mediterranean Sea. Cypriot rescue teams managed to save two individuals and recover seven bodies from the water on Monday.
"According to experts, a person can survive for a maximum of 40 hours in water temperatures ranging from 16 to 17 degrees Celsius. As more time passes without locating additional survivors, it becomes increasingly probable that more bodies will be found instead," Palmas explained.
Authorities hope to gather further details about t...