UN Mission In Lebanon Rescues Syrian Lost At Sea For Two Days
New York, Sep 25 2006 11:00AM
The United Nations peacekeeping force sent to Lebanon to oversee the cessation of hostilities between Israel and
Hizbollah found itself involved in a humanitarian rescue operation over the weekend, plucking from the waves a Syrian who had been swimming for two days after apparently falling from a
passing ship.
The Italian ship San Marco from the Interim Maritime Task Force of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) rescued the man after he was found several hundred meters off the coastline on Saturday.
He was initially administered first-aid by the San Marco doctor and later evacuated to the hospital in Tyre, southern
Lebanon, UNIFIL said.
Meanwhile, UNIFIL’s Indian, Ghanaian and Italian battalions over the weekend provided medical assistance to 64 people
and veterinary help to 40 animals. In addition, several thousand litres of water were distributed by UNIFIL to three
Lebanese checkpoints.
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