Police: Boat with 176 Syrians reaches Cyprus from Turkey

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus police say food and medical care are being given to 176 migrants who reached the island’s northwestern coast aboard a boat.

Police spokesman Michalis Ioannou told The Associated Press that the 16-meter (53-foot) vessel arrived Friday afternoon after setting sail from a point near Mersin, Turkey, and travelling overnight.

Two women and a baby were taken to the hospital as a precaution. Ioannou said each migrant paid smugglers up to $2,200 for a spot aboard the boat. He said the migrants are believed to be Syrians and some have relatives in Cyprus.

Cyprus last week urged large European Union countries to accept more migrants from overburdened members that are entry points into Europe.