At least 32 migrants have tragically lost their lives, while over 100 have been rescued, after their fishing vessel capsized in the waters off the southern coast of Greece. The ill-fated boat was reportedly en route from Libya to Italy when the incident occurred.
The exact number of individuals aboard the vessel at the time of the accident, which took place approximately 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Pylos, remains unknown.
According to Greece’s coastguard, the boat was first spotted in international waters late on Tuesday by an aircraft belonging to EU border agency Frontex. However, the rescue operation faced significant challenges due to strong winds, hampering the extensive search efforts.
Tragically, the coastguard revealed that the passengers had refused assistance and were not wearing life jackets. Shortly thereafter, the boat capsized and sank, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation.
Reports from state broadcaster ERT indicate that the majority of those on board were young men in their twenties. However, the nationalities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.
Survivors have been transported to the town of Kalamata for medical treatment, as confirmed by officials.
Greece serves as a prominent entry point into the European Union for refugees and migrants fleeing from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. UN data reveals that over 70,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in frontline European countries this year, with the majority making landfall in Italy.
