Survivors of deadly migrant shipwreck off Greece describe their ordeal

·

Ekathimerini has published parts from the depositions of two survivors of the deadly boat tragedy in which more than 500 migrants are feared to have drowned in international waters.

The depositions belong to two migrants, 23-year-old Hassan from Syria and 24-year-old Rana from Pakistan, who described their journey from Libya.

Hassan mentioned that during the four days boat journey they were given “minimal food and dirty water.” He paid 10 euros to one of the 15 passengers who were working for the traffickers in order to move to the boat deck because he was struggling to breathe.

The boat captain, whom the passengers thought had lost his way, only called for help on his satellite phone on Tuesday night.

According to AP News, when the Greek coast vessel arrived during the night, the trawler suddenly capsized and Hassan found himself in the water. The Greek coast guard rescued him and others, he said, lifting them into an inflatable boat. Two or three other ships came during the night to help.

In all, 104 survivors were rescued and 78 bodies retrieved.

Photo: intime

Rana, a Pakistani citizen whose wife and children did not survive the shipwreck, described how after leaving Libya on June 9, the engine stopped after three days at sea. Despite a crew member fixing it many times, the engine continued to malfunction.  

Suddenly, Rana said, the boat started sinking on one side and taking on water. In the ensuing panic, many rushed to the opposite side and it was then that the boat capsized. Rana jumped into the sea and, despite not knowing how to swim, stayed afloat for a few minutes until a “large ship” retrieved him.

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

Alumni excellence celebrated in style at Oakleigh Grammar

Oakleigh Grammar has inducted two more former students into the prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame.

A pilgrimage to heroic Souli: Remembering the legacy of the Souliotes and Souliotises

Nestled in the rugged mountains of Epirus, Souli is more than just a historical site—it is a symbol of resilience and bravery.

The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea: Defining Orthodoxy and preserving Hellenism

The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine the Great, stands as a pivotal event in Christian history.

From PAK to PASOK: Sakis Gekas to lecture on anti-dictatorship resistance in Toronto

The talk will feature some of the key moments of the anti-dictatorship struggle and its manifestations in the public sphere.

US urges EU to abandon protections for feta and other regional products

The United States is ramping up pressure on the European Union to eliminate its system of geographical indications.

You May Also Like

Message by Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the Battle of Crete

Η Μάχη της Κρήτης αποτέλεσε μια σημαντική εξέλιξη στον Β’ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο καθώς αποδυνάμωσε την έφοδο των εισβολέων, επηρεάζοντας την εξέλιξη των στρατιωτικών επιχειρήσεων του...

Construction workers, Harry and Rebecca Gattis, push for mandatory vaccination class action

Construction workers, Harry and Rebecca Gattis, say they will fight for a class action over the NSW Government’s mandatory vaccination rules.

Greece offers condolences and support following tragic North Macedonia nightclub fire

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis expressed his condolences and offered support to North Macedonia following a devastating fire.