CYPRUS and the United Nations agency for refugees clashed on Thursday over allegations that the east Mediterranean island nation continues to engage in “push backs” against boats loaded with migrants.

The clash came a few days after Cypriot authorities recovered two survivors and seven bodies in international waters off Cyprus after their boat sank in rough seas.

UN High Commission for Refugees spokeswoman Emilia Strovolidou accused Cypriot police of intercepting three boatloads of migrants inside Cypriot territorial waters on between March 13-14 but prevented them from disembarking at Larnaca port, making them turn back to Syria from where they departed.