Greece has recorded one of the biggest-ever migrant tragedies, declaring three days of mourning after 18 people died and more than 100 were rescued after a fishing boat sunk off its coast.
The boat went down around 80km southwest of Pylos in southern Greece at 2:04 am on Wednesday.
Survivors have suggested that an estimated 750 people were on board and 100 children in the hold, the BBC reports.
The boat was spotted early in the afternoon on Tuesday by the EU’s border agency, Frontex, and immediately alerted Greek and Italian authorities.
Initially, contact was made with the fishing boat at 2 pm on Tuesday, and no request for help was made, with the boat intent on sailing to Italy.
At around 1:40 am on Wednesday, someone notified the Greek coastguard that the boat’s engine had malfunctioned.
Shortly afterwards, the boat capsised and took 15-20 minutes to sink. Strong winds hampered the search operation.
The emergency helpline for migrants, Alarm Phone, commented that the coastguard was aware the boat was in distress, adding that the boat staff chose to continue travelling to Italy because of Greece’s ‘horrible and systematic pushback practices’.
‘The case is for the EU to provide asylum, help and safety for those most in need. It’s not a problem of Greece, Italy or Cyprus… The EU must conclude on a solid migration policy,’ Greek migration ministry official Yiorgos Michaelidis said.
Greece is one of the main routes into the EU for refugees and migrants, and this is the second time the Greek authorities have been criticised after video footage revealed the forceful expulsion of migrants set adrift at sea.
The survivors have been taken to Kalamata, where they are being treated in hospital, mainly for hypothermia.
The nationality of the survivors is yet to be announced.
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