Death toll rises to 71 as boat sinks off Syrian coast

The bodies of 71 migrants have been found after the boat they were travelling in sank off Syria's coast, the health minister has said.

Twenty survivors are being treated in a hospital in the Syrian city of Tartus.

Officials said Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian nationals - including women and children - were believed to be among the 120-150 people who were on board when the boat sank on Thursday.

It is not clear what caused the accident. A rescue attempt is ongoing.

Officials added that the vessel had departed from Minyeh, a city near the Lebanese port city of Tripoli.

The boat is believed to have been heading to Europe when it sank.

Tartus, where survivors have been transported, is about 30 miles (50 km) north of Tripoli. _Agencies