NICOSIA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Syrian girl died in hospital on Thursday after being rescued from an overcrowded refugee boat, Cyprus's medical authorities have announced.

       The girl suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, said Charalambos Charilaou, State Health Services spokesman.

       She was one of three girls aged between three and five who were rushed to hospital by helicopter, after being rescued from a refugee boat in a critical condition.

       The overloaded eight-meter boat was spotted by a merchant ship as it drifted 30 nautical miles off the southeast coast of Cyprus.

       A total of 61 people were saved by Cypriot rescuers, among them 15 children, including five who were unaccompanied.

       At least 11 people are being hospitalized, three with leg fractures.

       Cyprus' Joint Rescue Coordination Center Commander Andreas Charalambides confirmed that the boat had sailed from Lebanon on Jan. 18, and those on board spent almost a week at sea.

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       Police said they had arrested a 47-year-old Syrian man who was in charge of the boat.

       He was remanded in custody for eight days by a court, on charges of manslaughter in relation to the death of the girl, as well as people trafficking and conspiracy to commit a crime in relation to the transfer of irregular immigrants.

       A police investigator told the court that the boat had sailed without enough fuel, or a compass, GPS or other means of navigation.