Nine survivors arrested as hopes dim for missing migrants from shipwreck off Greece

·

Nine survivors have been arrested after the sinking of a fishing boat southwest of the Peloponnese in Greece that killed at least 78 migrants.

All those arrested, who are said to be from Egypt, will face charges of forming a criminal organisation and illegal migrant trafficking.

Survivors of a shipwreck sit at a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town. Photo: www.argolikeseidhseis.gr via AP.

News of the arrests comes as hopes of survivors dwindled and fears grew that hundreds more, including children, may have drowned inside the crowded vessel’s hold.

According to AP News, the trawler may have carried as many as 750 passengers, including women and children who were likely trapped in the hold as the vessel overturned and went down early on Wednesday. That could make the sinking one of the deadliest ever in the central Mediterranean Sea.

A huge search-and-rescue operation initially recovered 78 bodies and picked up 104 survivors — all men and boys. But no more have been found.

Survivors receive first aid after a rescue operation at the port in Kalamata town. Photo: www.argolikeseidhseis.gr via AP.

Greek authorities have been criticised for not acting fast enough to rescue the migrants. Greek officials argued the migrants repeatedly refused assistance and insisted on continuing to Italy. Legal experts said that was no excuse.

Relatives of the migrants gathered in the southern Greek port city of Kalamata to look for their loved ones on Thursday. According to state broadcaster ERT, people have come from Cyprus, the Netherlands and Germany.

The Greek Red Cross has launched a system to trace missing migrants and staff from the organisation’s Central Tracing Agency (CTA) and the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program have arrived in Kalamata.

People looking for their relatives can reach the CTA and RFL at on +30 210-5230-043 and +30 210-5140-440 and at tracingstaff@redcross.gr.

Source: AP News and Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Annual Patrino Karnavali to light up Sydney’s Brighton-Le-Sands

The 47th Patrino Karnavali Sydney is set to hit Brighton-Le-Sands on Friday, February 28, at The Grand Roxy.

Football Australia unveils the ‘Australian Championship’  

Following the confirmation of the NST format, Football Australia proudly announced the launch of the Australian Championship. 

Experts ‘cannot rule out volcanic eruption’ as earthquakes continue to hit Santorini

A volcanic eruption cannot be ruled out as seismic activity has continued to impact Santorini, Greece, since late January.

Greece’s oldest living Olympic medallist Giorgos Roubanis dies

Giorgos Roubanis, Greece’s oldest living Olympic medallist, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, at the age of 95.

Debt cleared as Hellenic Village engages new $119.5 million buyer for Austral site

The sale of Hellenic Village’s 105-acre property at Gurner Avenue in Austral has taken a turn following the withdrawal of the initial buyer.

You May Also Like

Coldplay releases new music video shot at Athens’ historic Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Coldplay has received high praise after dropping a new music video shot on location at Athens’ Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Here’s how Professor Andy Koronios is involved in developing Australia’s first orbiting space clock

The SmartSat CRC is partnering with QuantX Labs to space qualify a world-leading compact clock technology in an Australian-first.

Tom Koutsantonis MP expects number 8 plates to get ‘significant interest’

A custom set of licence plates depicting the lucky number “8” are set to be auctioned for more than $1 million later this year.