Lebanese authorities thwarted on Saturday an attempt to smuggle dozens of Syrians from northern Lebanon towards Europe by sea.
In a statement, the military said it arrested five Syrians at a checkpoint in the northern town of Selaata, for planning the illegal trip from Batroun.
The army said 49 Syrians, including women and children, were arrested at the Deir Ammar checkpoint as they were headed to their departure from Batroun.
Meanwhile, the Markazia news agency quoted sources as saying that 80 people have been arrested so far.
Authorities also managed to seize two small trucks that were transporting 100 people from the al-Minieh region ahead of their illegal sea crossing.
Lebanon’s northern shores have become a launching point for human trafficking to Europe.
Some attempts have been thwarted, while other journeys have succeeded in reaching Italian, Greek or Cypriot shores.
Syrians make up the majority of the travelers.
Lebanon’s shores are open for small boats that often head to sea with the migrants where they are unloaded in larger vessels in international waters.
