refugees
Dozens dead in boat crash in Greece
Refugees receive first aid upon arrival at Kalamata port after a rescue operation. photo
© Uncredited/www.argolikeseidhseis.gr/AP/dpa
It is one of the worst boating accidents in Greece in years. Rescuers recover dozens of dead migrants from the water. The number of victims is likely to be much higher.
At least 78 migrants died in a serious boat accident off the Greek coast. The Greek state broadcaster ERT reported on Wednesday, citing the coast guard. 104 people have been rescued so far. However, it was feared that the death toll could be much higher. The rescued are said to have stated that there could have been up to 400 people on board the damaged boat.
According to the authorities, a large-scale search operation in international waters off the Peloponnese peninsula continued. Coast Guard patrol boats, the Air Force, a Navy frigate, and six freighters and other vessels were deployed in the area. Greek President Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou flew to the Peloponnese peninsula at noon to get an idea of the situation. Four hospitals are on alert to treat the injured.
On Tuesday, Italian authorities informed their Greek neighbors about a fully manned fishing boat in the Greek search and rescue area, according to a coast guard statement. A Frontex aircraft then located the boat 47 nautical miles southwest of the Peloponnese peninsula. Both the Greek Coast Guard and passing freighters had repeatedly offered the passengers help by radio, but this was refused, it said.
In the early morning hours on Wednesday, the boat then capsized and finally sank, it said. According to survivors, it had set sail from Tobruk in Libya and was en route to Italy. Nothing was initially known about the nationalities of the people on board.