DAMASCUS, Sep 22 (UNI) Twenty-four people were dead and 13 others injured after a boat carrying immigrants from Lebanon capsized in the Syrian territorial water on Thursday, a Syrian official said.

Fifteen people onboard the ship were rescued, said General Director of Sea Ports Samer Kobrosly, adding that the search operation is still ongoing near the shore of the Syrian coastal city of Tartous.

Citing testimonies from the survivors, the official said the boat set off from Lebanon carrying people of several nationalities whose intended destinations were unknown.
UNI/XINHUA GK