BEIRUT — The tragedy of the migrant boat capsizing off the coast of Tripoli in north Lebanon on April 23 is still at the fore of national news. Out of the unknown number of asylum-seekers crammed onto the boat when it set off, 45 survived and the bodies of six people were recovered. A large number of women, children and men are still missing.

Director general of the Tripoli port Ahmed Tamer told Al-Monitor, “The search for those missing is still ongoing, but within the limited capabilities of the army. The Lebanese military has requested assistance from UNIFIL and several countries.”

He added, “It is believed that the migrant boat sank to a depth of about 400 meters [1,300 feet], making it difficult to recover it. According to the families of victims at the port, 23 people are missing, all of them women and children. These numbers are likely to go up. There is no hope of finding survivors.”

Immediately after the accident, 10 Lebanese Red Cross ambulances headed to the port, and search and rescue operations by the Lebanese army began by land, sea and air off the shores of Tripoli.