UNIFIL ship rescues 36 people outside Lebanese territorial waters-[PHOTOS]

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenetti said on Monday that a UNIFIL ship detected this morning the location of a boat outside the Lebanese territorial waters carrying on board 37 people before one of them passed away.

“The priority for the UNIFIL peacekeepers was to rescue the remaining 36 people and ensure their safety through the provision of immediate assistance," a statement issued by the UNFIL read.

The Lebanese authorities were then informed about the incident.

The people who were on board of the boat are now receiving the needed medical treatment on board of a UNIFIL Maritime Force ship before being transferred to the Lebanese authorities.

The ship is reportedly heading to the Beirut port.

For his part, UNIFIL Head of Mission Major General Stefano Del Col dubbed the incident as “very tragic,” adding however that the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force peacekeepers “are doing their utmost to save the lives of these people.” 

“Our first priority is to ensure the safety of all 36 people we just saved," he concluded by saying.