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

Melbourne Uni lists million-dollar mansion with tower and park views

The University of Melbourne has listed its historic Parkville mansion ‘Cumnock’ with a price guide of $7.9 million – $8.69 million.

Lachlan Ilias fires back after Dragons demotion with blistering two-try performance

Lachlan Ilias delivered a powerful response to his recent NRL demotion at the St George Illawarra Dragons. Read more here.

Christodoulides leaves Cyprus talks empty-handed as Tatar rejects key proposals

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides left a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar frustrated, as three key proposals were rejected

Israel approves plan to fully occupy Gaza and displace civilians, officials say

Israeli ministers have endorsed a plan to capture all of Gaza and maintain a military presence there indefinitely, two officials confirmed.

Young creatives shine at 2nd Greek Youth Creative and Performing Arts Competition

The next generation of Greek Australian talent took centre stage on Sunday, May 4, at the Chau Chak Wing Museum in Sydney.

You May Also Like

Greek Film Festival officially opens in Sydney and Melbourne

The Greek Film Festival officially opened in Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday, October 13 to huge crowds and plenty of excitement.

Alleged fraudster Bill Papas spotted in Thessaloniki

Bill Papas, the man at the centre of what may be one of Australia’s largest bank frauds, is living in Greece’s second largest city Thessaloniki.

2023 Greek Film Festival set to open its doors in Adelaide on October 24

The 2023 Greek Film Festival, presented by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia, returns to Adelaide from 24 – 29 October.