Key Highlights:
- Massive Rescue Operation: Over 200 people rescued in four large-scale search operations by the Greek Coast Guard.
- Casualties Reported: Five bodies recovered so far, with many refugees still missing.
- Multiple Incidents: Separate boat sinkings reported near Crete and Peloponnese; operations ongoing.
- Deployment of Resources: Nine ships and two helicopters actively involved in rescue missions.
- Eyewitness Accounts: Survivors claim the capsized boats were overcrowded.
Humanitarian Crisis in the Mediterranean: Over 200 Rescued, Five Dead After Refugee Boat Capsizes Near Crete
In a heartbreaking incident off the southern coast of Crete, Greece, five refugees lost their lives, and many others remain unaccounted for after a boat carrying refugees sank. The Greek Coast Guard launched an extensive rescue operation late Friday night, successfully saving over 200 people amidst challenging sea conditions.
Coast Guard’s Heroic Efforts in Action
The Greek Coast Guard reported launching four separate search and rescue operations after receiving distress calls about multiple boats sinking. The incidents occurred near Gavdos Island, south of Crete, and off the southern Peloponnese coast.
- Operation Details:
- Gavdos Island Incidents: Two operations rescued 47 and 89 people, now completed.
- Peloponnese Region: 28 people saved in an isolated incident.
- Ongoing Efforts: One operation near Gavdos remains active, with authorities racing against time to locate survivors.
Rising Toll and Eyewitness Accounts
So far, the rescue team has recovered five bodies from the water. Survivors recounted that their boats were dangerously overcrowded, a common and deadly practice among smugglers facilitating illegal crossings.
One of the rescued individuals described the harrowing ordeal, stating, “The boat was packed beyond capacity. When it capsized, chaos erupted.”
Scale of Rescue Operations
The ongoing rescue mission involves nine vessels and two helicopters, scouring the seas for survivors and bodies. Rescued refugees have been transported to Crete, where they are receiving medical attention and support. Greek authorities and humanitarian organizations are also coordinating efforts to provide shelter and food to the survivors.
Mediterranean Refugee Crisis: A Grim Reality
The Mediterranean Sea has become a perilous crossing route for refugees fleeing war, persecution, and poverty in search of a better life in Europe. Despite international efforts to curb illegal migration, overcrowded and unsafe vessels continue to carry thousands of people, often leading to tragic accidents.
