At least 90 people died from a boat that sank off the Syrian coast on Thursday, the Syrian Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday.

The Lebanese Army said on Saturday that it had arrested a person on suspicion of involvement in smuggling illegal immigrants across the sea. 

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), called it a "heart-wrenching tragedy."

At least 14 people rescued were recovering in hospitals in Syria while six others were discharged, as search efforts continued, with several people still missing since the boat sank on Thursday.

The boat set off from Lebanon on Tuesday carrying illegal migrants of various nationalities to "unknown destinations", Syrian General Director of Sea Ports Samer Kobrosly said earlier, citing testimonies from the survivors.

(With input from AFP)