Five people, arrested on suspicion of smuggling irregular migrants into the Larnaca and Famagusta districts, were remanded for six days on Saturday.

Police said three people were arrested after a vessel with 17 irregular migrants arrived in Larnaca on Friday afternoon. They face offences related to assisting third country nationals to illegally enter the Republic of Cyprus for profit, illegal entry into the territory of the Republic and transporting people by sea in an unsafe vessel.

The other two suspects were arrested in connection with the arrival of nine migrants in the Famagusta district on Friday afternoon.

Police said the two are being investigated for assisting third country nationals to illegally enter the island but also conspiracy to commit a felony among others.

The passengers of the two boats were transferred to the Pournara reception centre for asylum seekers in Kokkinotrimithia.