Beirut, 22 September 2022 (dpa/MIA) - At least 34 people died after a migrant boat had sunken off Syria, state news agency SANA reported on Thursday. A further 20 are being treated at a hospital in the Syrian city of Tartus where the accident occurred, the agency added, citing the war-torn country's Health Ministry. It is not yet clear when exactly the boat sank. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, reported that at least 36 migrants had died in the Mediterranean Sea off the Syrian coast after a boat carrying illegal migrants heading to Europe capsized. Rescuers managed to save 15 people and continue to search for dozens who are missing, the Britain-based watchdog added. The boat, which sailed from the Lebanese northern port city of Tripoli a few days ago, capsized in Syria's territorial waters, opposite the Syrian island of Arwad in Tartus, the observatory said. The Al Bassel Hospital in Tartus confirmed that so far, it had received 24 bodies and 13 survivors. Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese media reported that a boat carrying 55 migrants went missing while en route to Italy. According to a Lebanese security source, Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians were among those on the vessel. Lebanon's deteriorating economic situation has led many Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian refugees to try and reach Europe illegally, risking the perilous sea route in hopes of better conditions.