Sixteen Israelis and two Cypriot crew members were rescued off the coast of Lebanon on Thursday after their boat stalled due to engine failure.

According to the Times of Israel, citing the country’s transportation ministry, the boat got stranded about 25 miles west of the port of Sidon, Lebanon, due to an engine failure. 

Those on board were salvaged by the ministry’s Rescue Coordination Center in conjunction with the Israeli Navy.

The boat, which originated in Cyprus, was carrying 16 Israelis and two Cypriot crew members.

Thousands of Israeli nationals stranded abroad have sought out naval routes to return home due to the lack of flights.