BEIRUT, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese naval forces and Civil Defense maritime rescue units rescued 20 people after a boat carrying 22 passengers sank early Tuesday about 3 km off the coast of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The passengers included 20 Syrians and two Lebanese nationals, NNA said.
The boat sank in the early morning hours, prompting naval forces and maritime rescue teams to rush to the scene and launch search-and-rescue operations.
Two passengers remain unaccounted for, and search efforts are continuing.
The incident comes amid persistent attempts by migrants and refugees to leave Lebanon by sea in hopes of reaching Europe or seeking better living conditions. Similar boat accidents have occurred off Lebanon's northern coast, prompting rescue operations by local authorities.
