Migration remains a serious problem that requires a coherent European approach and policy, said on Thursday Cyprus’ Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, expressing sorrow for the death of one of the three young girls who were rushed to hospital in poor condition on Wednesday after being rescued, along with other 57 people, who were on a boat off the southeast coast of Cyprus.

In his statements after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis expressed the Government’s shock “for the unfair loss” of one of the three young girls who were treated at the Makarios Hospital in Nicosia. “This new incident highlights once again in the most dramatic way, that migration remains a serious problem that demands a coherent European approach and policy”, he said. He noted that there was “a very dark side” to migration, criminal rings, people smugglers “who take advantage of the drama of our fellow humans”.

“Our thoughts are with the two girls who are in hospital”, Letymbiotis said.

One of the three children who were being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Makarios Hospital, died of cardiac arrest, it was announced on Thursday morning.

The children were found unconscious in the early hours of Wednesday on a boat off Cape Greco along with 57 other people. They were taken to Makarios Hospital while two other children were transferred to the Famagusta General Hospital.