A boat carrying 270 Syrian refugees trying to reach Europe has been towed to the Turkish controlled northern part of Cyprus after drifting for several hours, Turkish Cypriots media reported on Sunday.

The rescue operation took place overnight between Saturday and Sunday, according to Turkish Cypriot media reports late on Sunday.

It is thought that the boat left the Turkish port of Mersin for Italy, a favorite destination of most illegal immigrants from the Middle East.

The authorities controlling northern Cyprus did not comment on the reports.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied the northern part of the island after a coup by Greek army junta officers.

Turkish Cypriot media reports said the Syrian refugees, including 30 children, were originally taken into an indoor stadium.

Most of the refugees were returned to Turkey on Sunday but about 10 were left behind to be treated in hospital.

The reports said the crew abandoned the boat which was left drifting off the northern Cypriot coast.

This September Cypriot authorities saved 340 people from Syria after their boat met rough seas off the southern coast of the island.

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