A devastating migrant boat sinking off the coast of Greece has left at least 78 people dead, with hundreds more feared missing. Rescue operations are underway, but hopes of finding additional survivors are dwindling. The overcrowded fishing vessel, carrying an estimated 700 to 750 migrants, capsized and sank while en route from Libya to Italy.
So far, 104 survivors have been rescued, primarily men from countries including Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Palestine. The survivors are reportedly in a state of shock, grappling with the trauma of the event and desperately seeking information about missing loved ones. Accounts from relatives paint a grim picture of families torn apart, highlighting the human cost of this tragedy.
The Greek government has declared three days of mourning and launched an investigation into the incident. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the events leading up to the sinking. Greek authorities maintain that the vessel declined repeated offers of assistance, while activist groups claim to have received distress calls from the boat hours before the tragedy. This discrepancy raises questions about the handling of the situation and the potential for earlier intervention.
Experts in maritime law emphasize the obligation of authorities to attempt rescue in cases of unsafe vessels, regardless of whether passengers request it. Factors such as overcrowding, lack of life jackets, and the reported absence of a captain raise concerns about the vessel's seaworthiness and the potential for preventable loss of life. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges and dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea and the complex legal and humanitarian issues surrounding rescue efforts.
The European Commission president has expressed sorrow over the event and pledged to strengthen efforts against migrant smuggling. However, critics argue that stricter border controls have only pushed migrants towards more perilous routes, increasing the risk of such tragedies. The search for the missing continues, but the scale of the disaster marks it as one of the worst in the Mediterranean's recent history, adding to the grim toll of lives lost in the pursuit of safety and a better future.
