Greece: As a refugee boat sinks off Greece, at least 59 people perish
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
After a refugee boat capsized and sank off the coast of Greece, at least 59 people perished and more are believed to be missing.
Authorities reported that 104 people had been rescued by noon, but it was not clear how many were on board when the vessel capsized. This year’s deadliest shipwreck was off Greece.
The boat, which was headed for Italy, was seen in international waters late on Tuesday by an EU border agency aircraft and two nearby vessels, about 50 miles (80 km) south-west of the town of Pylos in southern Greece, according to the coastguard.
It said those installed had rejected help presented by Greek specialists late on Tuesday. A couple of hours after the fact the boat overturned and sank, setting off an inquiry and salvage activity.
The majority of the passengers, according to the state broadcaster ERT, were young men in their 20s. The ship was said to have left the Libyan town of Tobruk, which is south of the Greek island of Crete. Greek authorities did not immediately confirm their nationalities or the location of the boat’s departure.
The authorities stated that the survivors were transported to the town of Kalamata.
For refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Greece is one of the most important entry points into the European Union. The majority travel to the Greek islands via Turkey, which is nearby. However, a growing number of boats also travel via Greece from Turkey to Italy, which is longer and more risky.
According to data from the United Nations, approximately 72,000 refugees and migrants have entered this year in Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus, with the majority settling in Italy.
