Dozens feared dead after migrant boat sinks off Kaparthos island

·

Dozens of people are feared to have died off the Greek island of Kaparthos after their boat sank while attempting to make the perilous crossing from Turkey, The Guardian has reported.

Greek Coast Guard officials said that 29 men were rescued 33 nautical miles off Kaparthos, with up to 50 people still missing.

Those rescued were from Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, and told authorities there had been roughly 60 to 80 people on board the vessel when it went down.

The boat had set sail from the Antalya area on the southern Turkish coast and had been heading to Italy when it ran into trouble during the night.

A massive search operation by port authorities and navy officials will continue for the next few hours.

The Greek Shipping Minister, Ioannis Plakiotakis, said the Hellenic navy, air force, coast guard patrol boats, as well as commercial ships sailing in the southern Aegean at the time, had all joined the search and rescue operation.

“Protecting human life is a daily concern and our absolute priority,” Plakiotakis said in a statement. “In the last two years, in 145 search and rescue operations, more than 6,000 people have been saved.”

“As always, like today, Greece is saving lives in the Aegean.”

The most common sea route for migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa has been from Turkey to nearby Greek islands.

The influx of Europe-bound migrants to Greece has dropped dramatically over the past year, but this week’s crossing is a reminder of the lengths people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are willing to endure to find refuge in the west.

READ MORE: Turkey blames Greece after 12 migrants freeze to death near border.

Source: The Guardian.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

Youth, veterans and faith at the heart of Australia’s OXI Day tributes

In the lead-up to OXI Day (28 October), Greek communities across Australia held a series of heartfelt commemorations.

You May Also Like

Kouzina Greco named in top 20 restaurants in Western Sydney

The top 20 best eateries in the western Sydney region of Parramatta have been named , with Greek restaurant, Kouzina Greco, making the list.

‘Breath of fresh air’: Jonathan Aspropotamitis extends contract with Perth Glory

Jonathan Aspropotamitis speaks to The Greek Herald about his decision to re-sign with Perth Glory and his career hopes for the season ahead.

Theoni Marks to perform at Carols in the Park in south west Sydney

Greek Australian singer, Theoni Marks, is set to perform at the City of Canterbury-Bankstown's annual Carols in the Park event this Sunday,