Syrian official says so far, 77 dead in migrant boat sinking

 At least 77 people were killed when a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon sank off Syria this week, the country’s health minister said Friday, amid fears the death toll could be far higher.
The incident was deadliest so far as a surging number of Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians have been trying to flee crisis-hit Lebanon by sea for a better future in Europe.

Tens of thousands have lost their jobs while the Lebanese pound has dropped…